William N. Vance
July 26, 1937 - May 26, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 2, 2023, 1-2:15 pm; Dutilh United Methodist Church.
Service: Friday, June, 2023, 2:30 pm; Dutilh United Methodist Church
William “Bill” Newell Vance, age 85, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2023, following a brief bout with cancer and other health issues. Born July 26, 1937 in New Castle, PA, to the late John C. and Dorothy (née Newell) Vance, Bill was the beloved husband of 58 years to the love of his life, Diane (née Meriam) Vance. He was the devoted father to his daughters Jennifer (Alvin) Pitzer of Mt Lebanon, PA, Shelly (Philip) Carlo of New Wilmington, PA, and Meredith Vance, Mt Lebanon, PA, and brother to Martha (Raymond) Wile, Williamsburg, VA. Bill was blessed with five grandchildren: Rachel (Zack) Llewellyn, Bradley Pitzer, Gabrielle Carlo, Caleb Shafer and Grant Shafer. Bill welcomed his first great-grandson, Lincoln Llewellyn, in April 2023 and lit up when holding him. Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews were also part of Bill’s loving family.
Bill graduated from Wilmington Area Schools and attended Westminster College. He served in the National Guard in the early 1960s Contributing in many roles, he was a long-time member of New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. The joy of his life was the Vance Family farm, on which Bill lived for his first 53 years. He was happiest in the fields, especially on his John Deere tractor. He could fix or build just about anything. His family is fortunate to enjoy the craftsmanship of his beautifully built furniture pieces. Bill worked for several years at McLean Trucking Company in West Middlesex, PA as a dock supervisor, followed by co-ownership of a small paving business.
Bill and his loving wife relocated to Murrysville, PA in 1990. There, he was elected to and served on Murrysville Council, and was an active member of Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church. He and Diane most recently resided in Mars, PA where they enjoyed attending Dutilh Church, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Bill and Diane traveled throughout the United States and Europe and he could not resist a road trip.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Raymond Wile.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, June 2, from 1:00 – 2:15 PM, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life at Dutilh United Methodist Church in Cranberry Township, PA, with Pastor Tom Parkinson officiating.
Additional Visiting Hours will be held Monday, June 5 at Smith Funeral Home from 2 – 3:30 PM, followed by interment at Fair Oaks Cemetery, both in New Wilmington, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or Dutilh Church.
Professional arrangements entrusted to Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry.
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Diane – So sorry to read about Bill’s passing. My wife (unfortunately no longer with us) and I were big fans of Bill and always went to your booth first in Chantilly at the J&G show. My wife got sick about 10 years ago and were never able to see you and Bill again. My wife was the one with the passion for all the stones but tanzanite was her favorite. She and Bill would go on an on about the cuts, color and red flashes. I moved to Harbeson DE near Lewis about a year ago and my plan was to bring by her stone collection to show to Bill. If you are interested in seeing them yourself at any time please let me know. Bill was a great man and I am sorry for your loss.
Dear Diane, Jennifer, Shelly, Meredith and families,
It was sad to learn of Bill’s passing and to know that I will never get to visit with him on this earth again. I’m so glad I had the final opportunity to visit with him and most of you in October 2022 for great family time together. I know it is even harder for all of you at this time and in the days to come to not have him in your lives on a daily basis. His earthly body has been laid to rest, but his soul and eternal life lives on forever in heaven and for that all of us can have some comfort and peace with his passing. He was a wonderful and memorable person, son, family man, brother, uncle, relative and friend to many. He was such a likeable guy, who couldn’t love Bill?
When I was a child and even into my teen years, my favorite place to be in the summers was staying at the family farm and hanging out with Bill helping out in the barn, in the fields and going along on his errands to town, visiting other farms and to the auction barn. At least I hope I was more of a help than a hindrance to him! My best and favorite memory of time spent with him was me riding along on the fender of his tractor working in a field one day and he taught and sang to me You Are My Sunshine. We sang it over and over. Whenever I hear that song, I remember that day so well and how happy I was being with him. Oh Bill, I loved you so much.
Diane,We are very sorry for Bills passing.We know the impact he made here in Murrysville
through his service on council.
He was always good to talk to at our State Farm functions.
With Love and sympathy, Joe and Kathleen
Dear Bill Vance was the finest brother anyone could hope to have. Bill brought blessings, joy and common sense to everyone he ever met. Love and God’s peace to the beautiful family that he was called to leave behind.
Diane, our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. It was an honor to know Bill. May he rest in eternal peace.
With fondness, George & Beth App, NPC.
I wish to offer my condolences……I knew Bill and his family for all of my life……great guy….great family…..rest in peace Bill…..hope to see you on the other side of the river some day.
I am very sad to learn of the passing of my high school and college classmate. Bill was my friend from seventh grade, graduating with him in the 1955 class. Our class was the first to go to NY City for our class trip. Bill helped plan this fun and memorable high school trip. We also attended Sunday School together where we both had to memorize the Presbyterian Catechism. Mrs. McFarland, our teacher gave each of us ten cents for each of the 107 items we learned. Bill and I learned them quickly for the money, competition and it was a requirement for church confirmation. We continued to be friends at Westminster and then we went our separate ways. Three years ago Bill and Diane took my friend, Alton and me to dinner near their home and we reminisced the good times of our school years and our childhood living in quaint, pastoral New Wilmington. Bill was known for being kind, caring, intelligent and a dedicated friend.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to Diane and the Vance family.
We are so sad to hear of the passing of such a loving and caring gentleman.
We wish his family beautiful memories as you look fondly back on the many
happy years and special moments you have shared.
Fondly, Bill and Carolyn