William Watson (Bill) Harper, age 80, of Waltersburg, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2023 at his daughter, Lou Anne’s, residence in Greensburg, PA, with his loving family by his side. He was born January 10, 1943 in Uniontown, PA, son of the late Harry C. Harper and Harriet H. Harper. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances O. Harper, and great granddaughter, Grace Ann Baker.
Bill was a 1961 graduate of North Union High School. Having been the youngest appointed
Postmaster in the U.S. in 1962, he began his 43 plus years of service at age 19 with the United States Postal Service, as the Postmaster of Waltersburg, PA. Bill was a retiree and member of the Federal Postal Union and also a member of the Oddfellows. He was a Protestant with no formal church membership but attended St. Therese de lisieux Roman Catholic Church with his late wife.
In addition to running the post office, Bill was an entrepreneur by nature who owned and operated Harper’s Country Store, a Mobil gas station, and several rental properties to service his community. His ultimate passion was people, and he knew all of his postal customers by first name and treated them like family, having held multiple community days at the Waltersburg Post Office to help bring people together.
From the Farm Auctions and Fayette County Fair to the Perryopolis Flea Market, Bill enjoyed attending community events and seeing people he knew and meeting new friends, who he always made smile and laugh.
He also enjoyed stamp collecting, architecture, building/remodeling, landscaping, traveling, fine dining, music, and spending time with his family. He collected cars from Corvettes to Cadillacs and attended auto shows frequently with his father and brothers and son.
Bill shared his heart and home with many beloved pets throughout his lifetime and never said no to helping a stray animal or any other person in need.
Left to cherish Bill’s memory are his son, William W. Harper, II (Patty) of Waltersburg; daughters, Lee Anne Baker, RN (George) of Roaming Shores, OH; Lou Anne Demosky, Esq. (Lee) of Greensburg; grandchildren. Brianna Leatherman (Dan), George Baker, III (Kristi), Kaylie Harper Moore, Appolonia Smolka (Anthony), Broc Baker, Lealaina Demosky and L. William Demosky; great grandchildren, Braedon, Lorelai, Gianna, Alyse, and Sutton; brothers, Ronald Harper, James Harper, and Robert Harper; sister Janie Harper Crossland, and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIES, INC., 80 Morgantown St., Uniontown, PA, where family and friends will be received on Wednesday, April 26th from 3 until 7 p.m. Visitation will continue in the funeral home on Thursday, April 27th from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. followed by a Blessing Service celebrating Bill’s life at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Bowman-Flatwoods Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at adferguson.com and on the funeral home Facebook page
