William R. Besser

William R. Besser, age 73, of South Shenango Township in Jamestown, passed away on the morning of March 12, 2026, at St. Paul's Senior Living Community. Born in Pittsburgh on May 19, 1952, to William G. and Cecilia M. (Zewe) Besser, Bill graduated from North Allegheny High School in 1971. He worked for more than twenty years as a laborer with the North and South Shenango Joint Municipal Authority, retiring in 2013.

A longtime member of St. Philip's Roman Catholic Church in Linesville, Bill belonged to the Pymatuning Sportsmen's Club and was a past member of the Jamestown Lions Club. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, a dedicated Pittsburgh and Penn State sports fan, and took great pleasure in grilling and smoking meats, tending his yard and garden, and above all, sharing time with his family. He cherished hosting his loved ones at home for every Steelers game and was affectionately known as a "Gentle Giant" who would do anything for anyone.

On November 8, 1975, Bill married Louise M. Weiss, who survives him. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Donna Popielarcheck and her fiancé Donald Huff of Jamestown; his son, William P. Besser of Irwin, Pennsylvania; two sisters, Bonnie Lewis of York, Pennsylvania, and Barbara A. Springer and her companion Bob Sins of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania; a brother, Thomas Besser of Allison Park, Pennsylvania; and two grandchildren, Morgan and Lucas Popielarcheck.

He was preceded in death by his parents.