William Paul Haylett, 87, of Polk, passed away at 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15th, at the Golden Living Center in Titusville, following a lengthy illness.
Born April 6, 1927 in Frenchcreek Twp., Bill was the son of the late William R. and Minnie Bell Carey Haylett. He was married November 29, 1947 to the former Doris M. Snyder, who survives.
Bill was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He enlisted at the age of 17. While in the Navy, he was stationed in the Pacific and served aboard 3 ships, which were “shot out from under him”. He left the Navy at the end of WWII, but reenlisted in 1948. Bill had a military career spanning a total of 30 years – 23 years active duty and 7 years in the Reserves. Throughout his military career, he was stationed at many places – Lakehurst, NJ, Elizabeth City, NC, Patuxent River, MD, Jacksonville, FL, and Rota, Spain. It was in Spain that his youngest daughter, Willie, was born. He was a metal smith, welder, and worked on aircraft. Because of his military career, Bill was able to travel all over the world, and his family lived with him on all the military bases he was stationed at. After retiring from the Navy, Bill was employed at Polk Center as a Resident Service Aide for 20 years, and retired from there in 1986.
Bill was instrumental in helping organize the Venango Fire Police, in which he remained very active until recently. He was a member of the Utica Volunteer Fire Department, the Polk Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Police. He joined the Jesse Greer VFW #1835 after returning home from WWII, and eventually served every office in both local and District 19 VFWs. He served as Commander, District 19 Commander and Commander of North West County Council. He helped with and marched in many local parades with the VFW Color Guard, and volunteered at Venango County 4-H Fairs as Traffic Director, and also sold “Bubby Poppies” every May for the VFW. Bill and his wife, Doris, could always be seen directing traffic at parades, and helping park cars at the fairgrounds. His volunteer hours amounted to over 300 hours.
In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his daughter, Doris “Dottie” A. Reese and her husband, Todd, of Franklin; his brother, Daryl Lee Haylett, of Sandy Lake; and his sister, Lois Smith Morford, of Franklin.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Willie Pauline Haylett; his sisters, Katherine Smith and Mary May Cress; and his brothers, Clarence B. Haylett, James Ralph Haylett, Dale Haylett, and Elmer Haylett.
Friends and family of Bill will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Sunday, May 18th from2 to 6 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday, May 19th at 11 a.m. with Rev. William E. Hasting, pastor of Seneca United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Millcreek Cemetery where full Military Honors will be accorded by the local V.E.T.S. Honor Guard.