William L. Lockhart, 72, of Oil City, died at 12:36 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2013 at his residence, following a lengthy illness.
Born September 14, 1940 in Oil City, he was the son of the late Clarence and Isabelle Boles Lockhart.
Mr. Lockhart served in the U.S. Army and retired as a sergeant in 1979 after twenty-two years of service. He served two tours during the Vietnam War and was also stationed in France and Germany. He was the recipient of numerous military awards and medals including the Good Conduct medal, the Air medal, Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Vietnam Cross, Vietnam Service medal with four bronze stars, National Defense Service medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal. He was very patriotic and was proud to have served his country.
He and his wife were directors of the Youth Center while being stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Oil City.
Bill was a NASCAR enthusiast and enjoyed working on cars, and bowling.
After his retirement from the U.S. Army, Bill worked at the Minute Man gas station in Reno, and also worked for the family business, Lockhart’s Cleaning.
He was married in Oil City on November 14, 1959 to the former Marlene Bechtel, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Randal Lockhart and his friend M.J. Davenport, Jay Lockhart, and Jeffery Lockhart and his wife Trisha; eight grandchildren, Misty, Joe and his companion Cara, Abigail, Benjamin, Billianne, Erin, Colin, and Tyler; three step-grandchildren, Dakota, Shani, and Randi Sue; two great-grandchildren, Jaylyn and Logan; a brother, Ned Lockhart and wife Sally of Oil City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Bill Lockhart, Jr., and a sister, Edna “Bunny” Martz.
Friends will be received Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Sally Lockhart, lay pastor from the First Presbyterian Church, and Bill’s sister-in-law, officiating.
Interment with full military honors accorded by the VETS Honor Guard will follow in Brandon Cemetery, Cranberry.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lifelong Learning, 679 Colbert Ave., Oil City PA 16301; or to a charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.hilebest.com