Obituary: CHS Class of 1948 ..Willimam M. "Bill" Gsddes
June 17, 1930 - March 15, 2018 Born in Nesquehoning. Pal, Resided in Lake Hauto, Pa
William M. “Bill” Gaddes, 87, of Lake Hauto, PA and formerly of Apalachin, NY, died on Thursday, March 15, 2018 in Coaldale, PA. He was the husband of Mildred R. Gaddes with whom he celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on February 12th. Born in Nesquehoning, PA on June 17, 1930, Bill was a son of the late Melvin Gaddes and Dorothy (nee Zeiser) Gaddes Latz. A 1948 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Penn State and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Lehigh University. Bill was a program manager for IBM Federal Systems Divisions. At the beginning of his work career, he worked with NASA and the Gemini astronauts. Later he traveled the world through IBM, Lockheed Martin, and the government. Stationed in Japan, Bill served in the Air Force as a tail gunner on B-29s during the Korean War. He was presented the Korean Peace Medal by Senator Argall in November, 2017. Bill was very dedicated to the cause of supporting returning veterans by raising funds for the Wounded Warriors Project and helping acquire pets for wounded veterans’ therapy. He was the designer and architect for the Coaldale War Memorial. Bill was a member of the P.A. AmVets, Post #1, the McAdoo V.F.W, Post #6078, the Coaldale Lions Club, and First Congregational Church, Coaldale. A model ship builder, building 11 in 15 years, he also was an avid model train collector. Surviving him are daughters, Sharlotte Ann West and her husband, Albert of Durham, NC and Margaret Elizabeth Hicks and her husband, William of Mebane, NC; grandchildren, William Adam West, Morgan Ann West, Edward Hicks, Jacob Hicks, Brenna Hicks, and Esteban Hicks; brother, David Gaddes of Harrisburg, PA; and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Anthony Latz who raised him as a son and sisters, Betty Hoffa and Jean Gangaware. Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 20 in First Congregational Church, Ruddle Street, Coaldale with The Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Benack officiating. Interment in Sky View Memorial Park will follow the services. Call 6-8 PM on Monday, March19, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua and 10-10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 20 in the church. Memorials in his name may be made to either the Wounded Warriors, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or First Congregational Church, c/o Lois Richards, 46 E. Phillips St., Coaldale, PA 18218. Online condolences may be made at www.z- gfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizel mann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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