William Weigle

William John Weigle, Jr., “Bill”, was born September 7, 1925 to William J. Weigle, Sr. and Ruth Hogue Weigle in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. He graduated as Salutatorian from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City in 1942, and completed an Electrical Engineering degree from Cornell University in three years, graduating in 1945. Bill served in the US Navy aboard Cruiser USS Montpelier, a Lieutenant in the North Atlantic in 1945 and 1946. He married his wife, Lois Marguerite “Peg” on September 14, 1947. He first worked for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, PA and then for Matthews Conveyor (later Rexnord), where he worked for 42 years, both in Ellwood City, PA and Danville, KY. As a Project Engineer, Bill oversaw system installation of luggage movement systems for airports across the nation, and co-owned patents for conveyor delivery and locomotive control systems. Bill loved to golf, scoring two holes-in-one while in his 80s, and made many lifetime friends through his love for golf. Bill enjoyed giving back to others. One of the ways he did so was as a long-time volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, serving on their Board, as well as coordinating and supervising many volunteer crews on build sites. Bill was a life-long Presbyterian (PCUSA), where he was an Elder. He was most honored to serve on the Building Committee for the renovation of The Presbyterian Church of Danville, as well as thoroughly enjoying building items for the youth to use, and repairing just about anything that needed repairing. Bill enjoyed creating and fixing things, and spent a lot of his spare time creating woodworking items such as clocks, beds, desks, etc. for his family and others. Bill enjoyed kidding people, and was never above a good practical joke. One of Bill’s grandchildren shared “I think it is really neat how Grandpa never met a stranger.” One of his “in-law” grandchildren shared “Bill Weigle was an amazing human. I am so happy to have known him, and am tremendously proud that he also loved me”. One of Bill’s former employees stated “Bill was more of a mentor to me than a boss.” Another former employee shared “Bill was the smartest man I ever met.” Bill is survived by his wife of 72 years, Peg, and his children, Janet Gareau of Danville, James “Jim” (Kristi) Weigle, of Clearwater, FL, and Jean (Eric) Smith of Danville. He absolutely adored his grandchildren, Jonathan (Sara) Weigle of Louisville, Jacob (Megan) Weigle of Lexington, Elizabeth Smith (Andrew Crowe) of Versailles, Whitney (Andrew) Mercke of Louisville, and Nathaniel (Amanda Hamilton) Smith of Lexington. He was a proud GreatGrandpa to Branson, Macy and Keaton Weigle, Presley, Bennett and Jordan Mercke, and Walton Smith-Hamilton (aka Scheidemantle – one of Bill’s jokes). The day Bill died, he said “I’ve had a good, long life. I’ll see you later.” A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at The Presbyterian Church in Danville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to The Presbyterian Church of Danville, Building Fund, or Habitat for Humanity, Danville, KY. Service: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at The Presbyterian Church in Danville.