William A. Latshaw

William A. Latshaw, 87, husband of Sandra MacGregor Latshaw, Bethlehem, died Monday, December 10, 2018 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. Reared in Wyomissing, he was the son of the late William A. Latshaw, Sr. and Martha Jane (Sharp) Latshaw.

He graduated from Lehigh University in 1953 (BA in Journalism) with High Honors and as a distinguished military student. As an undergraduate he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the senior class honor/leadership society of Cyanide, the junior class honor leadership society; of Psi Upsilon social fraternity.

In addition, he was awarded the Pi Delta Epsilon, National Honorary Collegiate Journalism Fraternity Medal in recognition of significant contributions to collegiate journalism.

Commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, upon graduation, Latshaw served two years in the U.S. Army as a weapons instructor, public information officer. He was discharged from active duty as a First Lieutenant.

Latshaw joined Bethlehem Steel in 1955 through the Loop Course. Manager of advertising, he retired in 1985 as manager of the corporate affairs divisional which included responsibility for corporate advertising, news media and community affairs divisions.

In 1987 he established his own company, Orion Communications, as a consultant in marketing communications and public relations as well as organizational management. He served a variety of local, regional and international clients.

In other professional activities Latshaw served as executive director of Auditory-Verbal International.

Finally, he served as president of the board of the Helen Beebe Speech and Hearing Center, Easton, and as executive director of the center.

Later he served as president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Northampton and Warren Counties. He was instrumental in bringing about the merger of that organization with the United Way of Lehigh County. He retired from the United Way of the Lehigh Valley as executive vice president in 1993.

In the area of Community service, he was former member of the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, Bethlehem; a former member of the Board of the Family Counseling Service; former member of Saucon Valley Country Club. He delivered food for Meals on Wheels.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; son, Scott and wife, Carol and daughter, Deborah Gillman and husband, Jim.

Services are private. Arrangments Connell Funeral Home.

Contributions are welcomed to the Bethlehem Public Library or to the Charity of ones choice.

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531