William J. Chayka

William J. Chayka, 87, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 25 in Lehigh Valley Hospital Hospice. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sophie Kapuscak Chayka.

Born on June 3, 1921 in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late George and Sophie Koleshi Chayka. He is survived by two daughters, Susan Gates of Virginia and Carol Parker of Bethlehem, son, John Chayka of Bethlehem and seven grandchildren, Katie Gates of Washington, DC and Billy Gates of Virginia, Sarah Parker of Pittsburgh, Nick Parker of New Hampshire and Sam Parker of Vermont, Annelise Chayka of Bloomsburg and Allison Chayka of Bethlehem.

Bill graduated from Liberty High School in 1939. He played on the District 11 championship baseball team, where he lettered for three years. Bill was on the 1938 Bethlehem Club Champion Basketball team. He played shortstop on the Junior Legion State Championship baseball team and was drafted by the Red Sox farm team. Bill received a baseball scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania when he was drafted.

Bill was a First Lieutenant with the 401st Bombardier group in the United States Air Force during World War II. He was stationed in London and completed 25 combat missions in the air offensive in the European Theater. He received the Air Medal with three clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He served his community as a charter member and past president of the Freemansburg Lions Club. Bill served as councilman for the borough and auditor for over thirty years. He was an avid bowler with a 300 game to his credit and member of the Bethlehem Bowlers Hall of Fame. Bill worked as a bookkeeper his entire life for Albarell Electric, Calantoni Homes and Chrin, Inc. He loved and was loved by his family.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2009 from 6-8 pm at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad Street Bethlehem, PA 18018.

A calling hour will be held on Monday from 9:30-10 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Miller Heights followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment is in Holy Savior Cemetery, Bethlehem.