William E. Caldwell

William E. Caldwell, 76, of Washington, died at 7:14 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2005, in Washington Hospital after being in failing health for the past year. He was born August 20, 1928, in Wellsburg, W.Va., a son of Walter Edgar and Goldie Esta Ralph Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell was formerly employed by West Penn Motor Club in Pittsburgh as a printing press operator. He was a member of Abundant Life Baptist Church. Mr. Caldwell served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of sergeant with the 7465th AU at the Post of Corozal in the Canal Zone. He was past governor of Moose in Wellsburg and a 54-year member of American Legion, who served 19 years as post commander for Post 643 in Avella, and was a member of Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175 in Washington at the time of his death. He was past cheminot nationale of 40&8, past grande chef de gare du of Pennsylvania 40&8 where he held all local offices and was a five-time chef de gare. He also was a member of Burgettstown Lodge 454 F&AM, Shriners of Pittsburgh, Elk Lodge 846 in Canonsburg and Hawkins Post Home 927 of Veterans of Foreign Wars. On June 30, 1989, he married Phillis Washabaugh Sim, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Randy Caldwell of Tampa, Fla.; a stepson, Randy Sim of Felton, Del.; three daughters, Gretchen (Gene) Jenkins of Pittsburgh, Susan Linner of Pittsburgh and Judy Manning of Green Acres, Fla.; two brothers, James Caldwell of Wellsburg and Walter Ray Caldwell of Wheeling, W.Va.; five sisters, Imogene Patterson, Marcella Grimm, Norma Chivers, Ida Mae Hoyte and Clarabale Dight, all of Wellsburg; and six grandchildren, Jessica and Jennifer Jenkins, Scott and Anna Caldwell and Kyle and Katy Linner. A sister, Rita Ernest, is deceased. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, with the Rev. Rick Bruckner officiating. Burial will follow in Independence Cemetery, Avella. Military rites will be accorded at graveside by Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175.