William H. Betts

William H. Betts, of Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh, died on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at age 102. He was the beloved husband of the late Ann R. Betts and father of William R. (deceased), Jeanne (Doug) Powers, Marcia (Robert) Thornburg, Daniel L. (Linda), and Trisanne (Charles) Smetana. He was the grandfather of Sandy, Rebecca, Will, Coy (Terre), Andrea (Jason), Daniel (Alanna), Lena (Chris), Jenna, Christian, and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother and sisters: John Nelson, Joy, and Anita. Bill, as he was known to his family and friends, was born on February 29, 1924, in Passo Fundo, Brazil. Born the son of Methodist missionaries, Bill spent his childhood as a swimmer, soccer player, and boy scout. Once he reached adulthood, Bill joined the United States Navy at the naval base in Brazil, ultimately moving to the United States and serving as a Navy Medic in World War II. Upon his departure from the Navy, Bill moved to Flint, Michigan to live with his aunt, where he graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in metallurgical engineering and married his wife, Ann, on June 10, 1948. Bill spent a majority of his career working at the United Engineering and Foundry Company, (later Wean United), in Pittsburgh, rising to the role of Vice President of Engineering Sales. Later, he was President of Johnstown Corporation. He was a world expert on rolls for steel rolling mills, travelled extensively internationally to share his knowledge, and consulted as an expert in his field until the age of 100. Bill loved his family dearly. He was a devoted husband and patriarch to children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, a mentor, and a fun and interesting story teller. Bill was a patriot and faithful Christian and was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh.

He travelled routinely to the Outer Banks, North Carolina, with his immediate and extended family from the 1960s through the 2020s and skied internationally and locally with his wife, family, and friends. Family and friends will be received Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 2 - 4pm and 6 - 8pm at WM. SLATER & SONS INC., 301 Virginia Ave, Mt. Washington, 15211 (412-381-3345), where a funeral service will be held on 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Entombment Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. (www.slaterfuneral.com)