William Rodney Halsey

William Rodney Halsey, 89, of Hemlock Drive, Meadville, passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at his home. He was born February 11, 1923 in Volney, Virginia, a son of Paul Halsey and Mary Anderson Halsey. He married Leone Phillips on March 11, 1945. She preceded him in death on May 4, 2003. William worked for Carnation Company in Cambridge Springs from 1942 until December 1978, when the business closed; subsequently, he worked for Dayton-Malleable for 6 ½ years until his retirement in 1985. While working at Malleable, at the age of 60, he received his General Education Development (GED) diploma. He was a WWII veteran and served our country as a Staff Sargeant in the U.S. Army, in the Pacific Theater, as a combat engineer. For his service, he received the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodcrafts, vegetable and flower gardening, bowling, and was an avid baseball fan. He also loved hobby farming. William was active in the community, and was a Richmond Township Supervisor for 12 years, President of the local Steelworkers union for 12 years, Chairman of the Crawford County Re-election Committee, and a 20-year member of the Kingsley Cemetery Board. During his 40-year membership at Townville Baptist Church, he served as a trustee, deacon, and on various building committees. He and his late wife Leone were active in the Townville Senior Citizens group, and were crowned Senior King and Queen of Old Home Days one year. He was very proud to be named to the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame in 2002, having voted in every November election for at least 50 consecutive years. William is survived by three daughters, Sharon Jessie of Meadville, Carol Granda and her husband Bill of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Heidi Hirsch and her husband Paul, of Redding, Connecticut; four grandchildren, Chad Granda and his wife Alisha of Denver, Colorado, Kristen Lashier and her husband Keith of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Kaitlyn and Cameron Hirsch of Redding, Connecticut; two great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Brayden Lashier of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; three sisters, Pauline Post and her husband Don of Waterford, Lois Canfield of Saegertown, and Essie Burns of Conneautville; a brother, Richard Halsey and his wife Theresa of Coshocton, Ohio; two sister-in-laws, Wyona Halsey of Centerville and Marjorie Halsey of Meadville; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to Leone, his loving wife of 58 years, he was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Rex and Dailey Halsey; and two brother-in-laws, Glenn Canfield and Paul Burns. Family and friends are welcome to call on Friday, September 21st from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Willis L. Arnold Funeral Home, 33353 North Main Street, Townville. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 22nd at 1:00pm at the funeral home, with Reverend Harlan Nefstead, pastor of Wayland Road Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Kingsley Cemetery, Townville. Memorial contributions may be made in William’s memory to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Road, Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335, or Kingsley Cemetery Maintenance Fund, 32443 Guys Mills Road, Townville, Pennsylvania 16360. Please take a moment to share a condolence, a memory, or to order flowers for the family on William’s Book of Memories online at www.roofnercollinswarrenfh.com Arrangements are in the care of Willis L. Arnold Funeral Home, 33353 North Main Street, Townville; a branch of Roofner-Collins-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Meadville.