William C. Yocum's Obituary
William Charles “Bill” Yocum passed away peacefully in Clearwater, Florida on April 1, 2015 at the age of 93. Bill was born March 26, 1922 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania to William P. Yocum and Retta Weller Yocum.
Bill graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943 with degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. While at Pitt, he was an active member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. After Pitt, Bill worked for Hanlon and Wilson from 1943 to 1944 and during that time designed a heat exchanger which supplied heat to the aircrew aboard the B-17 bombers. During World War II, Bill served aboard destroyers as an officer in the United States Navy. He was hired as an engineer at Superior Valve Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1947. Bill worked his way up through the company to become the President of Superior. Bill was awarded numerous patents for refrigeration, and compressed gas valves and fittings during his time at Superior. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Compressed Gas Association and President of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute.
In 1952, Bill married Nancy Claire Hallock (deceased) and settled in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania where they raised 2 daughters, Linda Jane White (Timothy) of Stevensville, Montana and Donna Jean Briggs (Richard Nelson), of Sanford, Florida. In 1982 Bill married Jean A. Hasselman to whom he was married until her death in 2014.
Bill and Jean retired to Clearwater, Florida in 1991 where he continued a passion for boating and was an active member of the U S Coast Guard Auxiliary. Bill was a lifelong learner with special interests in aeronautics, space, engineering, science, woodworking and computers. He was eager to understand the how and why of an issue and never afraid to tackle new challenges. He always said you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Bill made many first impressions in his 93 years and was loved and respected by all those whose lives he touched.
He is survived by his daughters Linda and Donna; grandsons Joseph C. White of Seattle, Washington, Nicholas S. Briggs and Matthew R. Briggs both of Sanford, Florida; and stepchildren Robert Hasselman (Marie) and Dale Hough (Ronald) both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A celebration of life with military honors will take place at a later date at Bay Pines National VA Cemetery in Florida. In lieu of flowers, Bill had requested that you please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
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