William B. Struchen Sr. of 93 Smith Ave., Sharon, died Sunday afternoon, May 5, 2008, in his residence with his wife of 66 years, Dorothy, by his side. He was 88.

Mr. Struchen was born on Oct. 25, 1919, raised and spent most of his life in the family home in Sharon. He was the son of the late Charles J. and Clara Zimmerman Struchen.

He was a 1937 graduate of Sharon High School.

Mr. Struchen then went on to serve in the U.S. Army with the 75th Infantry Division during World War II, earning the Victory and American Theatre medals along with three Bronze Stars.

He married the former Dorothy Mae Grafe on Aug. 23, 1941, in Rouseville, Pa.

Mr. Struchen retired in 1981 after 30 years from the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. In his early years, he had worked for the former Carnegie Works and Willson’s Furniture store, both Sharon; for Stamsvik Manufacturing in Grove City; and the former Horvath Dairy. For many years, he was a self-employed upholsterer.

He was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Hermitage. As a 25-year member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 347 in Sharon, he held state offices in the organization several times through the years.

William was his wife’s “right hand man” with many projects for the Girl Scouts during the 1950s, particularly at Camp Happy Acres in Jamestown.

He spent countless hours fishing and picnicking with his family on the shores of Pymatuning Dam and Conneaut Lake. Bill enjoyed hunting with his friends from Westinghouse, running his beagle dogs and teaching his children to love the outdoors.

Survivors include: his wife, Dorothy; along with his daughter, Katherine Galardo and her husband Frank; and two sons, Bill Struchen and his wife Janice; and Ed Struchen and his wife Valerie; along with his seven grandchildren, Nicole Conti, Nannette Hutchison, Brian Horchler, James Galardo; Sara, Jonathan and Elizabeth Struchen; and three great-grandchildren, Madison, Dominic and Aiden.

Besides his parents, Mr. Struchen was preceded in death by his daughter, Armande and her husband, Gib Horchler.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Endowment Fund, 159 Todd Ave., Hermitage 16148.

STRUCHEN

William B. Sr., 88, of 93 Smith Ave., Sharon.

Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (5-7-08) in HAROLD W. STEVENSON FUNERAL HOME, 264 E. State St., Sharon, with a service at 8:45 p.m. by Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 347, Sharon. Condolences may be e-mailed to stevensonfh1@verizon.net