William (Bill) Byron Mccracken

Former owner/operator of Ole Hickory Inn. William Byron (Bill) McCracken, 60, of Washington, died at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in his residence, following a one-year illness. He was born September 18, 1946, in Glendale, W.Va., a son of Betty Ruth Chase McCarrell of Washington and the late Basil McCracken Jr. A 1964 McGuffey High School graduate, Mr. McCracken graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with an accounting degree and became a certified public accountant. He was Catholic and the owner/operator of Ole Hickory Inn for 23 years. Mr. McCracken loved going to amusement parks and riding roller coasters. He also enjoyed boating, the trolley museum in Arden, going to the symphony, visiting the beach and ocean and traveling to New York City. Surviving, in addition to his mother, are two brothers, Robert (Linda) McCracken of Madison, Tenn., and Basil F. (Dorothy) McCracken of Wyanet, Ill.; a sister, Bonnie Bitz, with whom he made his home; two nieces who were like children to him, Stephanie Bitz and Erin Simpson; a niece, Brianna Alexander; and a nephew, Scott McCracken. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21. Burial will follow in Claysville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hillman Cancer Center, Brain Cancer Program Development, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.