William R. Gothard

North Jackson- William R. “Billy Gee” Gothard age 69, died at 11:50 pm Monday at his home in North Jackson. He was born July 30, 1936 in Glassport, PA the son of John and Isabel Gothard. Billy was a musician all his life, sang, played guitar and piano, composing and recording music. He entertained at many of our area rest homes and every month did Gospel music at the Rescue Mission in Youngstown. Billy came to the area to work at Lordstown Metal Center in 1970, known then as Fisher Body from Willow Springs, Illinois, where he started for Fisher Body on October 8, 1964. he retired as a Materials Shipping Supervisor in June 1999. He was a member, Song Leader and 2nd Pianist at Austintown Baptist Church, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias in North Jackson. He is survived and will be sadly missed, by his wife Betty Lou whom he married March 28, 1970, daughter Betsy (Tom) Doerr of Boardman, son William Jr. of Polk, PA., daughters, Linda Seiple and Helen Buchols both of Franklin, PA., daughter Debbie (Ken) Baker of Mooresville, N.C., daughter Sandy (Jim) Herman of Mooresville, N.C., son Randy (Beth) Farmer of Elmhurst, IL., Cindi (John) Berardi of Austintown, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Billy is also survived by sisters; Audrey Kadar of Elizabeth, PA., Mary Elaine Ashbaugh of McKeesport, PA., Isabel Bradley of Mifflin, PA., and two brothers Roger and Ed Turner of PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Richard, grandmother, Rita F. Grove and granddaughter, Ember Rae Doerr. Friends may call from 4-8 pm Friday at the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Saturday from the Austintown Baptist Church where friends may call from 10 am to 11 am. Burial will be in North Jackson Cemetery immediately following the services. The family requests that memorial contributions take the form of donations to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning County, Martin Luther Dr. Youngstown.