William J. “Wilk” Black, 88, of Three Springs (Pogue), PA, passed away at his home on Wednesday morning, February 16, 2022.
Born March 7, 1933 in Cromwell Township, he was the son of the late Berlyn C. Black and Lila P. (Runk) Black Cutshall. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, DeVona K. (Shoop) Black on December 23, 1955 at the Methodist Church in Burnt Cabins, PA. They were married for 67 years. Mrs. Black survives at their home.
Wilk graduated from Orbisonia High School in 1950 and enlisted in the U. S. Army 101st Airborne Division at Camp Breckinridge, KT. He was deployed to Europe, specializing in communications with the Special Operations Forces Unit during the Korean Conflict. He was discharged in 1955 and then worked at Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, PA. After 36 years of service he retired and spent the rest of his time raising Hereford beef cattle on his farm.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary (Black) Carothers and her husband Robert of Landsdowne, PA, brother, Clayton Black and his wife Lena of Orbisonia, PA, niece Cynthia (Black) Spencer of Orbisonia and sister Zeneda (Black) Simpler and her husband Edgar of McLean, VA.
He is survived by three children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Son Joseph S. Black and wife Susan of Camp Hill, PA, granddaughter, Emily G. (Black) Babian and husband Matt of Reunion, FL, son Mark W. Black and wife Mary Ellen of Pittsburgh, PA, grandson Clayton W. Black and wife Lauren, great grandsons, Brody W. and Roman C. Black of Pittsburgh, PA, grandson Cody R. Black of The Woodlands, TX, daughter Mary Ruth (Black) Kimmel and husband Joel of Hagerstown, MD, granddaughter Aleah H. (Kimmel) Aaron and husband Dustin, great grandson Brooks W. Aaron of Clear Spring, MD, grandson Zachary A. Kimmel and fiance Maria Aguliar of Hagerstown, MD and granddaughter Lilah B. Kimmel of Baltimore, MD.
Wilk was a member of the Jaffa Shrine, Altoona, PA, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Cromwell Lodge #572, F. & A. M., Orbisonia, Madden-Wennick Post 518 American Legion, Rockhill Furnace, PA and the Orbisonia United Methodist Church. He was an active member of the Southern Huntingdon County Football Booster Club while his children attended school.
A private service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at the Martin R. Brown Funeral Home, Orbisonia, PA with Pastor Richard Harter officiating. Interment will be made at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Three Springs, PA with military honors.
The Black family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Family Hospice of UPMC for the compassionate care provided.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Family Hospice of UPMC, Shriners Hospital for Children or the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
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