Navigation

Obituary

The body of William Robert Smith,21,of Pricedale,who plunged to his death in the Monongahela River from the first pier of the Belle Vernon-Speers bridge late Saturday afternoon,was brought to the surface Monday afternoon shortly before 2 o'clock. Frank Arrigo,of R.D.1,Belle Vernon,accompanied by Kenny Lynn and James Burgayne,brought the body of the recently discharged serviceman to the surface after a 46-hour search by grappling crews of the Belle Vernon No,2 and North Belle Vernon fire departments and a diver from Lock Four. Smith,one of the 16 children of Mr.and Mrs.Dan Smith,of Pricedale,leaped to his death after leaving home because of a family row. Reports said the youth had been mentally ill after receiving a severe head wound while in action in Europe.. He had been taking treatments at a veterans hospital while his family was making efforts to have him placed in a veterans institution. Friends are being received at the family home at House No.99,Pricedale until Thursday afternoon when the body wll be taken to the Antioch Baptist Church for services. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m.in the Antioch Baptist Church,Belle Vernon. Rev.Benjamin Butler will officiate. Military services will also be held. Burial will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Harold R.Toner is the funeral director.

Condolences

Your condolences will be posted here.

LEAVE A CONDOLENCE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *