William F. Piela, 84, of Seven Lakes, died Thursday, March 1, 2012.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Pinehurst.
Bill was born in Syracuse, N.Y., to the late Walter and Emily Pelc Piela. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was one of the few remaining members of the Happy Hearts club of Syracuse. He studied to become a printing pressman and was employed by the Syracuse University Press and the Post Standard newspaper before he and his family relocated to Rochester, N.Y., in 1962. He was then employed by the Gannett Company as a printing pressman for the Democrat and Chronicle for 28 years.
He then, with his wife, Wava, retired to Seven Lakes, where they have resided for 15 years.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Wava Wheatley Piela, of the home; two daughters, Susan Neumann, of Seven Lakes, and Dr. Diane Piela, of Menifee, Calif.; two sisters, Charlotte Pryzbyl, of Syracuse, N.Y., and Dolores Hoyt, of Georgetown, Texas; two grandchildren, Daniel Neumann, of Seven Lakes, and Jamie Neumann, of Hemet, Calif.; longtime friend Leslie Greer; and several nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be made at www.Russell-Marks.com.
Russell-Marks Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Rockingham is assisting the family.