William O. “Billy” Rhoades, age 75, of Mahanoy City, died Sunday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital E. Norwegian Street in Pottsville.
Born in Coaldale he was the son of the late William O. and Alice (Hartranft) Rhoades.
He was a 1962 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and was last employed by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Mahanoy City and sang in the church choir.
He was a 50+ year member of the Mahanoy City Fire Department. He belonged to the Washington Hook and Ladder Fire Company for many years and following in his father’s footsteps was a tiller driver. He is currently a member of the Citizens Fire Company and Mahanoy City EMS where he was a volunteer EMT. He was a member of the Schuylkill County Firefighters Association and also Six County Firefighters Association.
Not only did Billy play sports but was an avid fan of Shenandoah Valley sports watching his grandchildren play and his favorite past time was watching his grandson play football. He was a member of and an officer of the Jerry Wolman Northern Anthracite Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.
He was a midget football coach for Mahanoy Area for many years and a softball coach for the Shenadoah girls softball league. He was an avid deer and rabbit hunter and raised Beagles. He was a member of the NRA and beagle clubs too many to mention.
Survivors include a daughter Holly Petrushonis and her husband John of Shenandoah Heights, a brother Robert Rhoades of Shenandoah, 3 grandchildren Lily Petrushonis and her fiancé’ Chris Bonk, Katy Petrushonis and Cam Petrushonis and a great granddaughter Leena Bonk and his three Beagles Belle, Jessie and Harley.
All services will be private. Contributions in Billy’s name to Because of a Dog, PO Box 3158, Bethlehem, PA 18017 would be appreciated by the family. David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com
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