William Ray Banks, 94, of Hawthorne Woods Assisted Living, South Strabane Township, formerly of Cokeburg, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2017.
He was born January 16, 1923, in Bentleyville, a son of the late Raymond and Edna May Guthrie Banks.
After attending Ellsworth High School, Mr. Banks went to work at the Industrial Colliers mine in Cokeburg with his dad.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a member of the 13th Airborne Division, 515th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the European Theater of Operations. He also served as a communications specialist. After his time in Germany, Mr. Banks had the opportunity to go to school in Wharton, England, to study industrial electricity.
After the war, Mr. Banks returned to his job at the mine, now known as Mine 60, ending his 37-year mining career in 1977 at Livingston Portal. While working in the mine, he held several positions, including electrical wiring, fire bossing and assistant foreman. He also attended coal mining courses at Penn State Extension.
He was a member of Cokeburg Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder on session and did a lot of their rewiring in his younger, healthier days, as well as for borough projects.
Mr. Banks used his boat to help treat the water in the Cokeburg reservoir for many years.
He was a member of Ellsworth Sportsman's Club and a lifelong member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1625, Cokeburg, where he held several offices. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and a 50-year member of American Legion Post 165, Bentleyville. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, boating, drawing and home remodeling.
On July 6, 1953, he married Ruth Alice Chambers, who died January 9, 2012. They were married 59 years.
Surviving are a daughter, Alyce R. Curry (James) of Washington; a granddaughter, Alyssa Broderick (Ezra) of Cokeburg; three great-grandchildren, Jack, Connor and Penelope; and four nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his parents and wife, are two sisters, Vivian Banks and Sevilla Flukas.
Mr. Banks was the last of his immediate family.
Friends will be received from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 5, with the Rev. Robert Miller officiating. Interment will follow in Beallsville Cemetery, with military rites accorded by American Legion Post 165, Bentleyville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to American Legion Post 165 Honor Guard, 500 Main Street, Bentleyville, PA 15314.
A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.