William Alfred Lea; 85; of Monessen; passed away peacefully Saturday; Nov. 19; 2011; after a brief illness. Born Oct. 30; 1926; in Monessen; he was the eldest child of the late Ferry and Sylvia Lea. On Sept. 3; 1955; he married Ida Mae Patterson. She passed away after a lengthy illness on March 23; 2007. In addition to his parents and wife; he was preceded in death by brothers Louis; Dallas; Edward; and Warren Lea. Bill was a resident of the Mon Valley region for most of his life. He worked in the steel industry for the entire duration of his professional career; retiring from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. Following retirement; Bill found enjoyment in playing the lottery and spending time with family and friends. He leaves behind daughters; Lana (John) Kim; Lea-Campbell and Tana Lea; both of Washington; Pa.; stepson; Stanley (Barbara) Hamlin; of Atlanta; grandson; Treg Campbell; of Washington; Pa. Prior to his marriage; he leaves behind a daughter; Alice (Zinka) Ellis; of Washington; Pa.; and a son; Dwayne (Alice) Lea; of Williamstown; N.J.; caregiver and friend Belinda Milligan; of Monessen; and a host of nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday; Nov. 22; 2011; in Union Baptist Church; 670 McMahon Ave.; Monessen; followed by funeral services with Elder Jack Howell officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC.; 608 6th St.; Monessen; PA 15062.

Evelyn W. Lea; 77; of Monessen; formerly of Clairton; departed this life suddenly on Tuesday; Sept. 27; 2011. She was a longtime resident of the Mon Valley for 53 years; she worked and retired from Corning Glass Works; formerly located in Charleroi. During post retirement; Evelyn achieved an Associate’s Degree in Business at the Douglas School of Business. More recently; she was employed by the Monessen School District as a teaching assistant at the Monessen Elementary Center. As an avid and devoted member of the Union Baptist Church in Monessen; she served as the financial secretary; a member of the senior choir; the secretary of the missionary board; and she also assisted with the operations associated with the clothing missionary. She is better known by her church family and community for her nut rolls and sweet potato pies; which she donated regularly in support of the building fund and craft classes. Evelyn enjoyed 37 years of matrimony with her beloved husband; Edward F. Lea Sr.; who preceded her in death in 1993. Born on Feb. 1; 1934; in Clairton; she was the 12th of 14 children of the late Thomas and Carrie Collins. Always a devoted sister and friend to each; she will be reunited in Heaven with her sisters; Myrtle Davis; Faye Sterling; Ethel Hall; Mattie Ballard and Ellen Martin; and her brothers; Thomas; Charles; Earl; Wendell and Kenneth Collins. She leaves to cherish her memory; her sisters; Millicent Adams; of Clairton; Thomasene Goodwin; of Bronx; N.Y. and Joan Green; of Finleyville. Evelyn will be deeply missed and most remembered by her four children; Dr. Michele Lea-Stokes; of Los Angeles; Leslie Faye Lea; of Dallas; Terry Y. Lea; Esquire; of Washington; D.C.; and Edward F. Lea Jr.; of Monessen. She leaves to celebrate her life; nine grandchildren (to whom she played an active and fruitful role in each of their lives) Timothy L. Stokes Jr.; Cari Lea Ezennia; Edward F. Lea III; Darien C. Stokes; Cameron D. Stokes; Shannon M. Stokes; Blair Lea; Amara Lea-Ahaghotu and Evan I. Lea; several nieces and nephews; to whom she held a special bond; a godchild; Kami Lea Lomax; of Ft. Lauderdale; Fla.; and a host of faithful friends. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday; Sept. 30; and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday; Oct. 1; until the hour of service at Union Baptist Church; 670 McMahon Ave.; Monessen; with Pastor Verton L. Dean officiating. Interment will take place at Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC;; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen; (724) 684-6242.