William R. Heaps' Obituary
William Robert Heaps, 79 of Pitcairn, Pennsylvania travelled to heaven Friday the 18th of December, 2015. He was born on September 28th, 1936, to the late William and Nellie Heaps; the oldest brother of Robert, Barbara (late), Margaret (late), and Patrick (wife Jackie). Bill married the lovely Rosemary (Klavon) Heaps on April 18th, 1959.
He was a passionate man devoted to his family, his Catholic faith, and to the service of others. Bill was blessed with 50 years of romance, adventure and travel with the light of his life Rosemary (late). The two of them raised four children, Michael (wife-Diana), Michele Mariscal, Matthew (wife-Suzanne), and Martin (late); spoiled three grandchildren Matthew II (wife Angelina), Jennifer (husband Christopher Rodgers), and Joshua (wife Courtney) and adored four sweet great-grandbabies, Brendan, Lucy, McKenzie and Lillian. He was also blessed with Diana’s daughter Melissa and her three children Alysia, Diego and Mia.
Bill served 23 years in the United States Air Force rising to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, (serving during the Vietnam war) retiring in 1976 and achieving his MBA at Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA. His second career was at the Department of Energy.
William (Bill) was a gifted Irish Tenor, always ready to share his gift of song. He sang in multiple choirs, including St. John Bosco Catholic Church and a barbershop choir (the Harmony Kings). The Angels will serenade him, his father William will have accordion in hand, and Bill will play his harmonica as he rejoins his beautiful wife Rosemary, son Martin and the rest of the family.
A Rosary (10:30am) and Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, December 23rd at 11:00am at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 10508 112th Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98498~(253) 582-1028. Friends and family are also welcome to the final internment and military honors, at 10:30am, December 30th, 2015 at Mountain View Cemetery, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 (253) 584-0252.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Western Washington Catholic Charismatic Renewal of which Bill and Rosemary supported and volunteered (www.wwccr.org) and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America (www.lls.org) in memory of son/brother Martin.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
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