James W. “Bill” Lorenz, Sr., 87, of Warren, PA died Thursday morning, June 12, 2014 at UPMC Hamot, Erie, PA after a brief illness. He was born March 24, 1927 in Youngsville, PA. He was the son of Henry P. and Elizabeth Barbara Bucheit Lorenz. Bill was a lifelong Warren area resident and a 1945 graduate of Warren High School. He had served with the U.S. Marine Corp. as a Private First Class, where he participated in the occupation of China, serving from October 16, 1945 till he was honorably discharged on September 2, 1946. He was an owner and operator of Lorenz Brothers, Inc. working there from 1963 until he retired in 1982. He then worked with his son at Lorenz Construction until he was age 70. He enjoyed operating his backhoe. He had also been employed at the Conewango Valley Country Club as a greenskeeper and with the Warren Car Company. He was a member of St. Joseph R.C. Church.
Bill is survived by his son – David W. Lorenz and wife, Jean of N. Warren, PA., 1 Sister – Phyllis Dunham of Pleasantville, PA. , 5 Grandchildren – Jennifer Wolcott and husband, Jon of Sugar Grove Twp., June Borden and husband, Bob of Sheffield, PA., Mark Lundmark of Russell, PA., Kim Lorenz and Tara of State College, PA., David M. Lorenz and Claire Weatherby of Warren, PA., 7 Great Grandchildren – Devin Borden of Sheffield, PA., Joseph Rutsky of Sugar Grove, PA., Kaitlyn Borden of Sheffield, PA. , Hunter and Dustin Wolcott of Sugar Grove, PA., Bailey Lundmark of Russell, PA., Luna Lorenz of Warren, PA., several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Evelyn Mary Lorenz who died February 23, 2007 whom he married July 21, 1951 at St. Joseph Church, Warren, PA., 3 Triplet Sons – Patrick, Joseph and David Lorenz, 3 Stillborn Daughters – Mary Ann, Sherri Ann, Elizabeth Barbara Lorenz, 1 son – James W. Lorenz, Jr., 2 Brothers – John Henry and Richard “Dick” Lorenz, 3 Sisters – Frances “Mina” McCoy, Mary Billsborough and Betty Lorenz.
Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA on Sunday, June 15, 2014 from 6 to 8 P.M. where a vigil service will be conducted at 5:45 P.M.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Monday, June 16, 2014 at St. Joseph R.C. Church, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West at 10:00 A.M. with Fr. Richard J. Toohey, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery where flag presentation will be provided by the U.S. Marine Corp. Those wishing to place memorials may do so through St. Joseph Church Educational Center Fund, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, PA 16365 or Warren Salvation Army, 311 Beech Street, Warren, PA 16365 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Those wishing to submit e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com