Bill Longstreth

William H. Longstreth

William Longstreth, age 88 of Erie, Pa. died peacefully at his home early Friday morning, May 30, 2014.

Bill was born in Alvy, West Virginia on February 18, 1926 the son of the late Earl and Stella (Bakker) Longstreth.  Bill worked as a mechanic at the Yellow Cab Company in Erie where he retired after thirty years of service.  After retirement, he decided to stay active and both worked and volunteered many hours at the United Methodist Alliance Refuge in Erie.  Bill had many hobbies; such as, short-wave ham radio operator and woodworking.  In his earlier years, he enjoyed camping, boating, fishing and in the 1960’s, he played lead guitar in the local band known as “The Tunesmiths”.  He enjoyed many things in life and lived it to the fullest.

Besides his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret (Rundell) Longstreth in 2000; a son, Russell H. Longstreth; an infant brother, Jack; three brothers; Robert, Edward, and Eckert; and a sister, Marylou Brown.

Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara (Thompson) and a daughter, Carol Garbaloff  (Fritz); and two sons, Larry (Penny) and Michael (Delores Sigman) all of Erie, Pa.  He is also survived by seven step-children; two sisters, Betty Stearns of Franklin, Pa., and Margaret Pechin of Cambridge Springs, Pa.; and one brother, James Longstreth (Sandy) of Meadville.  Bill has several grandchildren, step-grandchildren,  great and step-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call at the Jean Evans Thompson Funeral Home at 11883 Main Street, East Springfield, Pa. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 from 2 until the time of the Life Celebration Service at 6 p.m. officiated by Rev. Annette Gerber of the United Methodist Church of West Springfield, Pa.  Bill will be laid to rest in Laurel Hill Cemetery.  The family respectfully requests that memorial donations may be made to the family payable to the funeral home.   A Special Thank You goes out to the Great Lakes Hospice Team for all their help during Bill’s time of need.  You did a Great Job!