
Calling Hours:
Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 9:30-10:30am
Gathering Space of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church
85 N. High St., Greenville, PA
Mass of Christian Burial:
Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 10:30am
St. Michael Roman Catholic Church
85 N. High St., Greenville, PA
Rev. Christopher Barnes, Pastor of the church, as celebrant
Greenville VFW Post #3374 will render military honors at
the conclusion of the service. Burial will be in St. Michael
Cemetery. All in attendance are required to wear a mask.
William James Peterson, Sr., age 94, late of 14 East Windridge Road, Greenville, PA passed away at St. Paul's Senior Living Community on Friday afternoon, October 29, 2021.
He was born on February 17, 1927 in Greenville, the oldest son of Merle A. Peterson and Sarah Ann Howick Peterson. He married Helen R. Derrick on June 19, 1948. She preceded him in death on May 21, 2008. He graduated from Penn High School in Greenville, Class of 1945 with a War Diploma. He enlisted in the US Navy in January 1945, serving until his honorable discharge in July 1946. As a Seaman First Class, he earned the American Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal. Coming home, he attended Thiel College for one semester, playing on the 1946 championship football team. For this, he was later inducted into the Thiel College Athletic Hall of Fame. He then enrolled in the Triangle School of Drafting in Pittsburgh, Pa, graduating in 1947. He was employed for 35 years by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company in Greenville, retiring as a lead designer in 1983. As a young man, he was an avid hunter of small game, with his beagles as companions. He enjoyed the outdoors: running track, doing yard work, and hunting throughout deer season. Family Sunday drives with a pit stop at Lean's East End Bakery were a tradition. He worked many hours of overtime to better provide for his family. He was a member of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Greenville, faithfully attending mass until in April 2021 his declining health prevented it. He belonged to the Moose Club and the Knights of Columbus.
He led an active life during his retirement years in Greenville, golfing at Pine Hill and bowling in various leagues until March 2021. Highlights of his retirement included vacation trips to Aruba and Key West, a Veteran Honors Flight to Washington D.C, and family visits to Colorado, Texas, and Illinois. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Cindy Peterson Essert, in 2015 and very recently by his son- in- law, Matthew Chikosky and sister-in-law Suzanne Derrick in 2021. Surviving are four children: Karen Chikosky of Hermitage, Jane (Bruce) Turcic of Greenville, William (Darlene) Peterson, Jr. of Wyomissing, PA, and James (Kathy) Peterson of Greenville; 6 grandchildren: Byl (Turquoise) Walker of Burke, VA, Michael (Kim) Walker of River Forest, IL, Kelly (Jonathan) Bailey of Greenville, PA, Amy (Adam)Wirth of Belleville, MI, Jason (Mallory) Peterson of Fort Worth TX and Richard (Stephanie) Witwer of Fort Hood, TX; 8 great grandchildren: Lucas Walker of Burke, VA, Stella and Ruby Walker of River Forest, IL, Lily and Aiden Bailey of Greenville, PA, Sadie and Cooper J. Peterson of Fort Worth, TX and Richard Witwer, Jr. of Fort Hood, TX; two brothers: Robert (Myrtle Ann) Peterson of New Braunfels, TX and Gerald H. (Kathryn) Peterson of La Salle, IL; several nieces and nephews, and his dear friend, Agnes Kowalzcyk of Greenville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, 85 N. High St., Greenville, PA 16125 or Thiel College, 75 College Ave., Greenville, PA 16125. Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville.

Karen, Jane and the entire Peterson, on behalf of my father Charles Reuff and myself I would like to
extend our heartfelt sympathies to you all. Your father was a good friend to my dad especially after he moved to the Heritage.
He would call and /or stop almost weekly until his own health started to decline. My dad appreciated the visits and the calls.
May he rest in peace.
Midge Reuff Culig
To all of Bill’s family, my deepest sympathy on his passing. He was one of my very favorite patients in all the years I worked for Dr. Robbins. God never created a nicer man than Bill. Rest in peace Bill, and enjoy the reunion with your friends and loved ones gone before. Sincerely, Sue
Rest In Peace Bill. One of our favorite former neighbors in Country Estates. Our sincere condolences to your family. His smile, car horn and wave as he drove by always made us feel special.
God bless,
Cathy and Ron Lewis
Dear Jane, we attended grade school together at St. MIchael and although I haven’t seen you in many years, I did see your father at Mass. I was away from Greenville for 50 years and when I moved back there were many people I did not recognize at church, but I did remember your father. He was such a sweet pleasant man. He always had a smile and a friendly help to me. I too was blessed with a wonderful father, we were lucky that way. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Jim, Bill & all of William James Peterson’s family & loved ones,
deep condolences… I kind of found comfort in a poem recently when a loved one passed.
a Native American poet wrote:
“In far dimensions
you have succeeded at last
mere mortality”
Karen, Bill, Jane and Jim, our heartfelt condolences for your loss. Bill was a wonderful man. Always enjoyed our golf and bowling for years together. I remember how happy he was when Donna and I bought the house on the hill. I think of him often especially when I’m outside mowing. We were all blessed to have a small part of his life.
Jim and Kathy and family, sending our sincere sympathy in the passing of your dad. No matter the age, losing a loving parent is very hard. Treasure all your memories because in the end that is all you have and they will be something you will cherish. Fred and Betty K
To all of Bill’s family, you have my deepest heartfelt sympathy on his passing. Bill was a wonderful friend to my father, Keith LeBarron. They worked together at CBI for over 30 years and played golf together at Pine Hill for many, many years. When my Dad went to St. Paul’s in 2014, Bill would visit him on a regular basis. I appreciated it so very much as my siblings and I don’t live near Greenville. When my Dad died in 2015, Bill attended his funeral. The last few years, I started sending Bill Christmas cards. He would always send one back letting me know that he was doing fine and staying active. He was a kind and caring man, and he will be missed.
Rest in peace, Bill, and thank you so very much.
David LeBarron
To the Peterson Family:
We lost a good friend and neighbor last Friday. Bill was ageless, playing golf, bowling, taking care of his yard, and many other activities well into his nineties.. He was a great example to all of us proving that living an active life is a good life. He loved his family and was so proud of each and everyone. The holidays were such a happy time for him, especially if they were gathering at his home. He was always there to lend a hand. If we were going away, he would get our mail and papers and check the house to make sure everything was okay. After twenty one years of neighboring, there will be a void in our lives along with many good memories.
Our love to the family.
Bob and Betsy Fischer
We lost a good friend and neighbor last Friday. Bill was ageless, playing golf, bowling, taking care of his yard, and many other activities well into his nineties.. He was a great example to all of us proving that living an active life is a good life. He loved his family and was so proud of each and everyone. The holidays were such a happy time for him, especially if they were gathering at his home. He was always there to lend a hand. If we were going away, he would get our mail and papers and check the house to make sure everything was okay. After twenty one years of neighboring, there will be a void in our lives along with many good memories.
Our love to the family.
Bob and Betsy Fischer