OLDHAM – William J., 'Big Bill'of Windber, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2017 at the age of 82. Born in Windber, on July 21, 1934, the son of Sewell & Alverta (Barnhart) Oldham. Preceded in death by parents; sister, Marion Alexshonis; daughters, Karen Oldham and Carolyn 'Winnie'and her husband Mark Horner. Survived by wife of 63 years Pauline (Yuhas) Oldham; daughter, Laura Umbrell of Chambersburg and son, Richard Oldham and wife Ellen (Crum) of Windber and also brother Eugene Oldham of Maryland. William had 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was a 1952 graduate of Windber High School. Former employee of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation and H.F. Lenz Company where he worked as a surveyor and an industrial construction specialist. William had an active civic career volunteering for the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Windber JayCees, Windber Little League, Windber Band and Football boosters and the United Churches of Windber. For many years he took the game films for the High School football team and served on the Windber High School board of directors. He was also the chairman of the Windber Water Authority. William was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Windber, where he served as Church board president, Choir president, Sunday school teacher and played Saint Nicholas for the children of the church. He was also a Diocesan Archon. Big Bill could often be seen grilling food at the Bar-B-Q pit for numerous church functions. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and had many adventures in the wilds of Quebec, Canada. Most of all, Big Bill loved his Windber Ramblers and the town of Windber. He was Blue and White through and through. Friends received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the William Kisiel Funeral Home, Windber where Panachida Service will be held at 7 pm. Brief service 9:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home followed by Funeral Service at 10 a.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Windber. The Very Reverend Father Miles Zdinak. Interment church cemetery, Windber. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations to the Orthodox Mission Fund c/o SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Windber.

Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
February 1, 2017