Obituary of William V. Mesaros

William Mesaros February 13, 2014 William V. Mesaros, age 83, of Luzerne, died peacefully on Thursday February 13, 2014 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital. Born October 17, 1930, he was the son of the late Anna Soley and Andrew Mesaros. He was the youngest of 13 children. He was a long time member of Holy Family Church, Luzerne. He graduated from St. Nicholas HS, Wilkes Barre, and attended Broadcast Production School of Radio Announcing, Chicago and the College of Great Falls. He served with the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing during the Korean War and loved telling stories of his days in the Air Force. He was stationed in Great Falls, Montana, Guam, and Misawa, Japan during the war. He had a wonderful life with his loving wife, Betty, 7 children and 11 grandchildren (and a 12th on the way) who he took great joy in watching them mature and grow. Dad was the rock of our family. He had a quick wit and loved to tell a story. He loved everyone without reserve. Things he taught us - accept everyone without question, the value of hard work, to forgive and forget, enjoy the simple things in life and eat dessert every day. Bill was the friendly face that everyone recognized wherever he went. The community knew him as the man who walked everywhere, and the neighbor that collected your recycling cans, or started a friendly conversation at the local grocery store. In his younger years he was "Cactus Bill", the voice of Country Music at WPTS Radio, Pittston. He also was a DJ on the same station playing easy listening music. After working at the Singer Company as an inventory analyst in the 1960's, he began a 27 year career with Nabisco Brands where he was responsible for tracking inventory and monitoring worldwide exports. He was a regular contributor to the Citizens Voice. He was passionate about local news and events and after retirement he worked for many years in the mail room of the Citizens Voice. While employed there he was honored for being the first staffer to help find the newspaper, new commercial business. He was also appointed a member of the Citizen's Voice Branding Committee. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, with whom he celebrated over 56 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his daughter, Amy Mesaros Knelly. He is survived by 6 remaining children, William, Ellicott City, MD; Della Marie Koester, Akron, Ohio; Anne, Spring City, Pa.; Michael, Walnutport, Pa.; Stephen, Jim Thorpe and Jennifer Harris, Wilkes Barre Twp., sister, Betty Sendrick, Appottomax, VA and eleven grandchildren. Funeral will be held on Wednesday at 9:30 am from the Betz-Jastremski Funeral Home Inc. 568 Bennett St. Luzerne with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Holy Family Parish, Luzerne with Rev. Michael Zipay officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Hanover Twp. Friends may call on Tuesday from 7-9 pm. To light a virtual candle or leave a message of condolence for his family, please visit www.betzjastremski.com. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart., 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes Barre, Pa 18702 in memory of Bill Mesaros.