William Edward Conwell, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 13, 2015.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, September 7, 1928, he was the only son, third child of William A. and Marie Logue Conwell.
A graduate of GAR High School in 1946, his athletic prowess earned him varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He began his college career at the University of Pittsburgh, ultimately graduating from Mansfield State Teachers' College in 1950.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, September 7, 1928, he was the only son, third child of William A. and Marie Logue Conwell.
A graduate of GAR High School in 1946, his athletic prowess earned him varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He began his college career at the University of Pittsburgh, ultimately graduating from Mansfield State Teachers' College in 1950.
While at Mansfied, he played football for his high school coach, Edward "Ted" Casey.
He served in the army from 1951 to 1953, stationed in Fort Belvoir where he was an instructor and played football for the Army's Inter-Divisional League.In his final football season, he played with the Bethlehem Bulldogs and the New York Giants farm club.
He began his career as an educator at Phillipsburg High School, Phillipsburg NJ, where he served for some 20+ years.
A history teacher, he secured his master's and doctor's in education at Rutgers University and Lehigh University respectively. He left the classroom to become a guidance counselor and was the vice principal at Phillipsburg High School.
In 1973, he became the principal of North Hunterdon High School. One of his proudest accomplishments was the building of Voorhees High School in the North Hunterdon School District, through its construction phase and serving as its principal for the first five years under Superintendent Ken Hall. Bill finished his 35 year career as an educator as the superintendent of schools in the Matwan-Aberdeen School District in Matwan, NJ.
He met his wife, Joyce Marie Hickok while at Mansfield. They were married on August 20, 1955, and they have a son, William Michael Conwell, an attorney in Pittsburgh, PA.
Bill's strongest ties were with his family and his faith. He served as a lector at St. Mary's Parish, Alpha, NJ for many years. Retiring to Florida in 1997, he and his wife served as pastoral ministers at San Antonio's Parish in Port Charlotte.
He loved golf and was an extremely social person. Travel was also a passion with trips to Lourdes, Spain and the Canadian Rockies. Always the drummer, as he aged, his specialty playing spoons was well-known.
He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Jean Stapleton and Peggy O'Boyle.
Surviving are his wife; sister, Ann Conwell Hawk; son, Bill, daughter-in-law, Pauline and grandchildren, Erin, Kevin and Megan.
A Mass was held at St. Sebastian's Parish, Pittsburgh, PA
Memorials may be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater PA Chapter
Arrangements were under the direction of the Neely Funeral Home, Glenshaw, PA.
