William A. Krause

William A. Krause, 86, of Canonsburg, died at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2005, in Washington Hospital. He was born January 11, 1919, in Washington, a son of Robert E. and Emma McKean Krause. Mr. Krause was a 1939 graduate of Washington High School and attended Carnegie Tech for two years. He was employed at Washington Steel for 40 years, retiring as a supervisor. Mr. Krause was a World War II veteran, who served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He flew 72 missions in European, Algerian, French Moroccan, Tunisian, Sicilian and Naples air offensives. He earned a Russian Red Star during combat in North Africa and also earned an Air Medal with a silver star and an oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, National Defense Service Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. He was a member of All Faith Church in Lady Lake, Fla., and had a 50-year association with Boys Scouts of America. Mr. Krause was a member of American Legion Memorial Post 347 in Lady Lake, a life member of Sunset Lodge 623 F&AM, Royal Arch Chapter 150, Washington Council 1, Coudersport Consistory Scottish Rite, Osiris Shrine in Wheeling, W.Va., a charter and life member of Wa Cha Gree Forest 149, Tall Cedars of Lebanon and a former member of Palmer Commandery in Milwaukee, Wis. On January 1, 1977, he married Elizabeth Durbin, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Kit M. Krause of Big Spring, Neb., and Barry F. Krause of Rayland, Ohio; a stepson, David Houlihan of Canonsburg; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Deceased are a stepson, Michael Houlihan; two sisters, Elizabeth Rutan and Margaret Schiffler; and a brother, Robert M. Krause. Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd. is in charge of arrangements.