Richard M. Willison

Richard M. Willison, 72, of Bethlehem, died Sunday May 3, 2009 at Westminster Village, Allentown. Born on July 4, 1936, in Carnegie, PA he was the son of the late Clyde and Bessie Comber Willison. He is survived by his wife Marjorie Clayton Willison, they celebrated 53 years of marriage in April.

Richard was a 1958 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University where he was a member of Kappa Sigma. He also earned a Masters in Metallurgical Engineering from Lehigh University. Richard spent his entire career working as an engineer for the Bethlehem Steel Homer Research Laboratories. He held a number of positions including Manager of Sheet and Tin Mill Products Research. Richard retired in 1996 after a career of 38 years. During his career he was a member of the American Society of Metallurgical Engineers and of the American Institute of Metallurgical Engineers. He was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem, where he served as an Elder, a Clerk of Session, a Sunday School Teacher, and a Deacon. Richard was a past President and Coach of the Bethlehem Area Youth Soccer League. Richard volunteered at Share Care of Lehigh Valley and the American Heart Association and was a member of the Zipper Club at St. Luke's Hospital. He also volunteered at Westminster Village. Richard was an avid Steelers fan.

Richard will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Marjorie, son, John S. Willison husband of Nancy Kreidler of Manasquan, NJ; daughters, Carol W. Hammer wife of Michael of Bethlehem, Janet Stahl wife of James of Dallas, TX, and Susan Miller wife of Timothy of Westfield, PA; brother, Clyde Willison, Jr. of Houston, TX; and sister, Marjorie Harris of Pittsburgh, PA; grandchildren, Jacob, Jennifer, Dana, Alex, Evan, and Claire.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church or Westminster Village, 803 N. Wahneta St. Allentown, PA 18109.