William "Bill" John Werpehowski

William “Bill” John Werpehowski, 94, of Bethlehem, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Traditions of Hanover, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Mary Anne (Ronca) Werpehowski. Bill was born in Southside Bethlehem on April 1, 1929 to the late Boleslaw and Janina (Lutkiewicz) Werpehowski. He attended Packer Elementary School, Broughal Middle School and graduated from Liberty Vo-tech in 1947 having studied to be a machinist. While at Liberty, Bill enjoyed a successful basketball career, playing for Coach Joseph Preletz and with teammates Rocco Calvo, Pete Carril, Ralph Deschler, George Marinkovich, and many others.

Bill went on to attend Moravian College and continued his basketball exploits. He graduated in 1951 as the Lehigh Valleys first thousand-point scorer and with the leading point total, 1,640, in the Colleges history. He presently ranks fourth in that category, and was inducted into the Moravian Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, and the Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986. At that time, he recalled with gratitude the impact that four of his unclesAlfred, Walter, Ed, and Mitch Lukievicshad on him in his younger days as they were making names for themselves on the Bethlehem sports scene.

Leaving Moravian, Bill faithfully served in the U.S. Army and its Counter Intelligence Corps during the Korean War. He married his first wife Margaret (Margetich) in 1952. While that marriage ended in 1978, it included many joyful years when, for example, Bill eagerly contributed his accordion skills to the Margetich Family Tamburitza Orchestra. His friend and brother-in-law, Philadelphia Eagles great Chuck Bednarik, also took part in the musical festivities.

Bill married Mary Anne (Ronca) in 1981, and they shared great and heartwarming happiness together, loving their growing family and wintering in Florida, until her death in 2019. They adored their seven grandchildrenBill referred to them affectionately as “The Seven Dwarfs”--and proudly attended many of their activities.

He started his working career at the Equitable Life Insurance Company in Bethlehem and then worked for Raydel Home Corporation. He proceeded to become founder and president of Tiffany Homes Corporation during the 1960s. He owned and operated Plaza Realty, Bethlehem, from 1978 until retiring in the early 90s.

Bill served as President of the Bethlehem Housing Authority and was on the Appeals Board for Northampton County. He was a longtime friend of Congressman Fred B. Rooney and was active in his election campaigns.

An avid golfer, Bill played with the same group of guys on Saturday mornings at Bethlehem Municipal Golf Course for many decades. He loved Bethlehem deeply, and often spoke of his good fortune to have grown up and flourished there. He also loved and studied his Polish roots, and danced the polka under the big tent at Musikfest without fail. As a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, The Bethlehem Club, and in his many other engagements, he seemed to know everyone in town. His gregarious spirit was very much in play during his final years living at Traditions of Hanover.

Survivors: son: William “Billy” Joseph (Anne McGuire) Werpehowski of Haverford, PA; stepdaughters: Susan (Harvey) Garte of Buckeye, AZ, Diane Fleming of Naples, FL; stepson: Robert (Dawn) Fleming of Northampton; grandchildren: Stephen J. Werpehowski, Gregory Garte, Michael Nigh, James W. Werpehowski, Mitchell (Kate) Fleming, Ryan Nigh & Allison Fleming. He was predeceased by his sister, Eugenia Fritchman, in 2007.

Service: A visitation will be held 6-8 pm on Wednesday April 26, 2023 at the Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 East Broad Street-Bethlehem. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10 am, Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, 1861 Catasauqua Road - Bethlehem, PA. The Interment will conclude services at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem. Online condolences may be offered at connellfuneral.com.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Moravian University for the Werpehowski Family Endowed Scholarship Fund,1200 Main Street-Bethlehem, PA 18018 and/or Care Team Hospice, 4658 Broadway B01-Allentown, PA 18104.

Cemetery
Holy Saviour Cemetery
2575 Linden St.
Bethlehem PA 18017
US

Visitation
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, April 27, 2023
10:00 AM
Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church
1861 Catasauqua Rd.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US

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