William J. "Bill" Harrington

William J. "Bill" Harrington, 84, of Coatesville died of lung cancer on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at his home while under Hospice Care. He was the husband of Lorena Brittingham Harrington with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. Born on July 26, 1925 in Rock Run, Valley Township, he was the son of the late George and Marie Clifton Harrington.

Bill graduated from Scott High School in 1943. He entered the Army Air Corp upon graduating and served as a B-17 ball turret gunner. He flew 57 missions over Europe during WWII receiving the 15th Air Force Medal, the Purple Heart, four Air Medals, the ETO Medal with seven battle stars, the Presidental Unit Citation and the Victory Medal.

After the war, he was employed by Pep Boys for 45 years retiring in 1987.

Bill was a member of the VFW, the Purple Heart Assoc., and the Free Masons. He attended Wagontown Union Chapel and served as an usher for 25 years.

He is survived, in addition to his wife, by one daughter; Donna, wife of Rick Kneib, three grandchildren; Michael and Tim Kneib of Coatesville and Kristin, wife of Mike Herr of Lancaster County, great granddaughter Alexis Herr, one brother Mickey Harrington and wife Matilda of Parkesburg. He was preceded in death by one sister Marie Givler and two brothers, Jack and Dick Harrington.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 11:00am from the Wagontown Union Chapel, 469 W. Kings Highway in Wagontown followed by interment at the Forks of The Brandywine Presbyterian Cemetery in Glenmoore. Family and friends are also invited to attend the viewing at the church from 10:00am to 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Wagontown Union Chapel, P.O. Box 200 Wagontown, PA 19367 or the Neighborhood Hospice, 400 E. Marshall, West Chester, PA 19380.

Services have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com