William T. Tuma, 82, of Monaca, founder of Tuma Lawn Service and Landscaping, died Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley Beaver.
Born Nov. 25, 1933, he was the last surviving child of Andrew Sr. and Mary (Baxa) Tuma. An industrious individual with a strong work ethic, he started his business in 1956, cutting 10 lawns in Beaver, while working as an enameler at Rheem Manufacturing in Monaca.
As his business grew, he left Rheem to devote his energy full-time to become the area’s largest lawn service provider. Nurtured by his devotion, several employees have been with the company for more than 35 years.
Anyone who knew Mr. Tuma understood that his true passion was hunting. From the time he was young, he hunted and fished. At one point, he was ranked second in the state in amateur archery.
He started hunting rabbits, then deer and later hunting bigger game, such as bear, moose, elk and mountain lions. He went on numerous hunting expeditions throughout the United States and Canada, hunting from before sunrise to dusk.
On weekends, you could usually find him at his camp in Clearfield County. He instilled his love of hunting to his sons and loved to be outdoors whenever he could. A master storyteller, he could keep a person’s interest for hours. His motto was, “Any day that you spend outdoors, is a day of your life that you didn’t waste.”
He leaves his wife, Linda K. (Jenkins) Tuma; two sons, Randy Tuma and his wife, Marie of Monaca and Jeff Tuma and his wife, Terri of Bellevue; two step-children, Jim Hutzel and Jody Cipolla and her husband, Rich; six grandchildren, Wade and his fiancée, Bree Ann Frederick, Brandon, Ian, Kaylyn, Hayleigh and Dylan; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Tuma was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen (Mottes) Tuma, in 1991; two brothers, Andrew Tuma Sr. and Edward Tuma; and two sisters, Harriet Thomas and Elsie Tuma, on March 11, 2016.
Friends are welcome to gather from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca, to reminisce and share stories of Mr. Tuma.
Full military honors will be provided by the Beaver County Special Unit at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home in honor of his military service in the U.S. Army while he was stationed in Germany.
To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.
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