Obituary of William Heckathorne

William Heckathorne of Bellefonte, PA died in his home on February 28, 2012, after having suffered with a disability incurred in 2007. Bill was born near Franklin, PA in 1941 to Ray L. and Hazel Downing Heckathorne. He grew up in the Oil City area, graduated from Oil City High School (’59), and went on to serve in the U.S. Navy as a machinist. Bill attended Clarion University where he graduated with a dual teaching certification in science and elementary education. He obtained his master’s degree in education at Clarion and his principal’s certification at Penn State and Indiana State Universities. Bill also completed the required coursework to become certified to teach in vocational schools. As a man gifted of the Lord with many talents, he worked in varied positions: machinist, draftsman, tool and die maker, teacher and principal. He was also an inventor holding a U.S. patent for a garden support system and a trademark for a product used in sports. He was an avid sports fan and loved to hunt and garden. Bill’s most important life decision was made in 1967 when he chose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted God’s free gift of eternal life. He spent many years volunteering as a Sunday school teacher and a deacon in his local church. Bill was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janet Slye Heckathorne and his children, Andrew (Andy) and wife Suzanne Baylor Heckathorne of Bellefonte and Rebekah (Becky) and her husband Travis Gravley of Oradea, Romania, where they serve as missionaries under Baptist Mid-Missions. Bill and Janet have five grandchildren. They are Micah, William and Caleb Heckathorne and Samuel and Kara Gravley. He is also survived by his sisters Peggy Heckathorne Gieseman of Rockville, MD and Donna Heckathorne Baker of Oil City, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ray, and sisters Debbie and Janet.

The viewing will be held at the First Baptist Church of Bellefonte, PA on Friday, March 2, 2012, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and the funeral Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Ron Berrus and Pastor Greg Shipe officiating. Interment will be at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry, PA. Arrangements are being made by Kader-Neff of Howard, PA. Memorial contributions will be received and distributed by the First Baptist Church of Bellefonte.

Many thanks are expressed by the family to the caregivers, organizations, First Baptist Church of Bellefonte and friends who supported the Heckathorne family during these last five years. You helped to make it possible for us to care for Bill at home, and we are very grateful.