William A. “Bill” Gustkey, 85, formerly of Houtzdale, died peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2014 at the home of his son, in Stanardsville, Va.
He was born March 29, 1929, a son of the late Rudolph and Ruth (Mayes) Gustkey. He had six siblings, Rudy, Hilda, Fred, Bob, George “Skip” and Ruth Ann.
In 1954, he married Henrietta (Harnish) Gustkey, with whom he shared 35 years of marriage.
He graduated from the Houtzdale-Woodward High School in 1947. Shortly thereafter, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a radar technician.
Following his service years, he worked for Erie Resistor and then the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an electronics technician for 35 years until his retirement. After retirement, he worked for several years in Virginia at AFE Technologies.
He enjoyed reading and working on electronics. He was fascinated with military aircraft and also loved the opera and the performing arts. He was a very caring and compassionate man, and enjoyed helping others. He also enjoyed spending time with his canine companions who gave him great joy.
He’s survived by a brother George “Skip” Gustkey and his wife, Sandy of Houtzdale; a daughter, Tina and her husband, Bill Laychur of Warriors Mark; a son, Jeff Gustkey and his wife, Cheryl of Stanardsville Va.; three granddaughters, Roxanne and her husband, Kirk Humilovich of Dillsburg; Kimberly and her husband, Nathan Snow of Stanardsville, Va.; Erica and her husband, Brock Dorsey of Harrisonburg, Va.; and five great-grandchildren, Elena, Aleksa, Cohen, Gemma and Vale.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters and a grandson, Adam Gustkey.
Friends will be received from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Thursday at Kruise Funeral Home in Ramey. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Pastor Ronald C. Miller Jr. officiating.
Burial will be in the Beulah Cemetery, Ramey. Condolences may be sent to condolences@kruisefuneralhome.com.