A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday for William H. Spon, formerly of Emilie Lane, Hermitage. He passed away peacefully of natural causes Wednesday (7-23-14) in O'Brien Memorial Nursing Home, Masury, where he was a resident for the past year. He was 92.

Mr. Spon was born March 2, 1922 in Sharon, a son of Emil and Irene Miller Spon.

He was a lifelong area resident and a 1941 alumnus of Sharon High School.

Following his graduation, Bill was employed at Wheatland Tube Co. for a year. He then began working at his father's appliance store on Broadway Avenue in Farrell and, after having an opportunity to assist an electrician, set out on his own and started Spon Electric. He eventually became a member of Local 12 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He retired in 1995 after celebrating 50 years in business.

Bill also was a helpful and friendly landlord, owning several rental properties in Sharon throughout the years.

Bill met his wife, the former Stephanie Jukich, on a dance floor. They married July 1, 1950, and continued to jitterbug throughout their 58 years of marriage.

They had five children who were lucky to have such a fine dad. He was easy-going with a good sense of humor and truly enjoyed life.

The family resided in Sharon for 16 years before moving to Hermitage into their dream house in 1966. The family has many fond memories of spending time with their dad while growing up in their home and, later in life, at gatherings with extended family and friends.

Bill was an active member of Church of Notre Dame in Hermitage. He served as an usher for many years and was a member of the Special Activities Group that organized fundraisers. He was a longstanding member of the Farrell- Sharon Lions Club and, at age 82, served as King Lion. His children looked forward to attending the club's family dinners with their dad, which was always fun. Bill was a member of Knights of Columbus and its Fourth Degree, Sharon Assembly. He also belonged to the Mercer County Democratic Committee and the Hermitage Business Association.

Bill was an avid Pirates and Steelers fan and enjoyed taking his family to Pittsburgh to attend games.

As a devoted and loving husband, he saw his wife Stephanie through her last days.

He later moved from his home and enjoyed living at Whispering Oaks and John XXIII, both Hermitage.

The family would like to extend a warm thank-you to his doctors, nurses and staff of John XXIII Home and O'Brien Memorial Nursing Home for their loving care.

He leaves: five children, Wayne Spon and his wife Mary Pat, Hendersonville, N.C.; Steven Spon and his wife Beth, Sharpsville; Pamela Piper and her husband William, South Burlington, Vt.; Sandra Spon and her husband Tim McGrew, Sandia Park, N.M.; and David Spon, Old Lyme, Conn.; five grandchildren, Lisa Spon and her fiancé Curtis Lonsinger, Laura Spon and her fiancé Chris Lesek, Malcolm and Christine Piper; and Nathan McGrew Spon; three greatgrandchildren, Corey and Emma Tidswell; and John Lesek II; a sister-in-law, Helen "Terry" Gallagher, Youngstown; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Robert, John, George, Richard and Ray Spon; and a stepbrother, William R. Spon.

Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday (7-27-14) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State Street, Sharon.

Service: Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Monday (7-28-14) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with the Rev. Jeffery J. Noble, pastor, as celebrant.

Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage.