William J. Ripper, Sr.

William J. Ripper, Sr., 86, of Bethlehem was called home to the Lord on

Saturday, December 13, 2008 surrounded by his loving family at Hospice House

of the VNA of St. Lukes Hospital. He was born on September 29, 1922 in

Bethlehem, PA. He was the son of the late Charles and Catherine Polk

Ripper. He was the husband of the late Dorothy E.Brugger Ripper who died

in 1995. They were married for 48 years.

William worked for Bethlehem Steel for 41 years before retiring in 1981. He

also worked for the Bethlehem Globe Times and Gromans Bakery. He was a

member of St. Ursula's Catholic Church, past president of the Holy Name

Society and also a Eucharistic Minister. He was also involved with writing

and directing numerous minstrels at the church. He was a member of the Holy

Ghost Church Choir and a member of the Home of the Good Samaritans. William

was a veteran of the US Navy serving during WW2 in the Pacific Theater.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and

devoted to his Faith. He dearly loved the special times he had with his

family at the Jersey Shore during his retirement.

He will be lovingly remembered by his sons, William J., Jr. and wife Maxine

of Hellertown and Timothy and wife DeLee of Bethlehem; daughters, Rosemary

Zambo wife of Paul of Allentown, Kathleen Grasso wife of Michael of

Bethlehem, Marita Augello wife of Eric of Bath and Lonnie Delker wife of

Robert of Northampton, 20 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is

also survived by brother, Frank and sister, Mary Morecz, both of Bethlehem.

He was predeceased by 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

A prayer service will be held at 9:30AM, Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at the

Connell Funeral Home at 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 followed by a

Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30AM at St. Ursula's Catholic Church, 1300

Broadway, Bethlehem, PA. 18015. Calling hours will be held from 6-9PM on

Tuesday evening, December 16, 2008 and 8:30-9:30AM Wednesday morning in the

funeral home.

In lieu of flowers; contributions may be made to the church and/or to Holy Family Manor in care of Connell Funeral Home