William J. Niesslein
September 28, 1925 ~ February 14, 2011
William J. Niesslein, 85, of Weirton, passed away Monday, February 14, 2011 at Weirton Medical Center. Born September 28, 1925, in Pittsburgh, PA, he was a son of the late George and Anna Cocab Niesslein. He was also preceded in death by his brother C. Paul Niesslein and sisters Rita Goelitz and Martha Lohman.
Mr. Niesslein retired from Weirton Steel where he served 30 years in the Education and Training Department and 57 years as Director of the Weirton Steel Male Chorus. In 2009, he was inducted into the initial class of the Weirton Hall of Fame for the musician ship he brought to the community. He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church. He graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh with a bachelor's degree in music education. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 and was a WWII veteran stationed in Germany, where he earned two medals of honor and an honorable discharge at the rank of Sargent.
William is survived by his wife Theresa Spadafora Niesslein of Weirton, whom he married in December of 1952; sons Samuel Niesslein of Weirton and William Niesslein, Jr., and his wife Janice of New Cumberland; daughters Judith Corwin and her husband Michael of Corvallis, OR; Cynthia Frost and her husband Jon of San Ramon, CA; Susan Kauffman and her husband Robert of Gilbert, AZ; and Laura Eloi and her husband Richard of Weirton and nine grandchildren Sam and his wife Tara, Kelli, Aaron, Kami, Kiel, Alexa, Mackenzie, Jeremy and Christopher.
Friends will be received Thursday from 6-8 pm and Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Rosary with the Knights of Columbus will be said at 7:30 PM on Friday. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated at 10 am Saturday at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church. The Reverend Father Dean Borgmeyer will officiate. Interment will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Weirton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Joseph the Worker Church or Weirton Geriatric Center.
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Bill and I were very close friends and members of the WHS class of 1944 Bill’s trumpet playing led Emil Holz to convert the WHS band from march to swing style – playing Harry James’ “Trumpet Blues and Cantable” before 19,000 fans in Massilon,Ohio in 1940. Will never forget it!!
Dear Sam, Our love to you and know that you are always in our hearts. The love and care that you have given your father has been so unconditional and selfless. God has blessed you, given you a wonderful father who was so very proud to call you “son”…We will miss him and will always remember his sweet, gentle spirit….Love to you and your family… Jim and Sharyn
THERESA AND FAMILY, SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF BILL. HE WAS A GREAT TEACHER AND DIRECTOR OF MALE CHORUS. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM AS THE GUY WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU. SINCERELY JERRY HAMILL
To the Niesslein Family, I send my deepset sympathy to you in this time of sorrow.I hope that your faith will give you comfort and understanding that there is a greater plan for all of us. I believe that Bill was called home because God needed a new Music Director. Please know that all of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless. Scott
Sue and Family, Our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Bill and Paulette (Bogdan) Galiotos
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Bill’s family…he was a caring and loving man..and will be missed by all of us…days were special at the Weirton Steel Chorus with Bill’s direction..may he rest in peace.
I played in Bill’s band many years ago & was very fond of Bill & Teressa.Bill was always a stand up guy and will be greatly missed Sympathies to the family,God bless you all
Just wanted to send my sincere condolances to your family for the loss of Bill… It was an honor and pleasure to care for him at the WGC. He will always hold a special place in my heart, as well as you Sam.
We send our love, prayers and sympathies to the family.(Laura and Richard are like family to us.) We are are very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you, Aldo, Sandy, Aldo, Jr., Samantha , & Maria Pucci
Dear Sam, Sam Jr. and Kelly and Niesslein families, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you Sam, Sam and Kelly. Know that you are in my prayers. May God’s peace be with you. Your friend, Jody
Sam, Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and the family. Sorry for your loss.
Theresa and Family, I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I have known him all of my life. What a wonderful teacher and person he was. Weirton has lost one of it’s finest citizens. My prayers are with all of you at this sad time.
Dear Laura, Dick, Jeremy, and Christopher. I’m so sorry to hear about Mr. Niesslein’s passing. I’ll be out of town during the showing, but there for the funeral. Please accept my sincere condolences. Aldo
Dear Niesslein Family,Judy, Bill, Sam and Sam Jr, Please accept my sincere sympathy. Having just lost my Mother this week, I understand the great sense of loss you are experiencing. Keep each other close and take comfort in your memories. May our Heavenly Father hold you in his loving arms and comfort you. Jeanie Green McHenry and Jennifer McHenry
Dear Billy & family, I was saddened to learn of your dad’s passing this week. I bet right now he is catching up with the Petzolds! I will keep you in my prayers.
Sam. You and your family have my deepest sympathies. I’m sorry I can’t be with you at this, you’re time of need because I’m vacationing in Port Charlotte, Fl. Rest assured that my prayers and thoughts of what a wonderful man your father was are with you.
Aunt Theresa and family, We are sorry we couldn’t be there with you at this time! We are going to miss Uncle Bill!! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you!! ((hugs))!!!
Laura & Family, I’m so sorry to hear about the death of your father. May God bless all of you and be with you at this time of need. Find peace in knowing he isn’t suffering anymore. It does help. Mariann, Rege, TJ & Danielle
Laura and the entire Niesslein family, I am so sorry to hear of you loss. I spent a lot of my young teenage years at your house and with your family. I feel so bad that I was not aware of Mr. Niesslein’s passing. My deepest sympathy and my prayers are with your family.
Memories, memories, over the past 35 years Danny was with the Chorus. It was our seond family, all the concerts and chors picnics. At our house, Bill was truly a wonderful friend, such a great person. We will miss him.
When I tucked him in at night and said “Sweet Dreams,” he always said “Sweet Dreams of You.”
He was the greatest being my voice teacher in the Chorus of Weir High 1948 to 1952. I am amazed that he still recognized me after all these years. A super nice person and talented so much in the field of music. Life without music is no life at all!
He always waved to me at the 4th of July Parade when the chorus sang and said “There’s my Number One Girl.”
I saw him after his stroke in Krogers. I went up to him and hugged him. he said “You’re still pretty” and I said “You’re still Ornery.” We both started laughing. I loved your dad and granfather with a lot of respect as everyone else did.
I remember a tender moment when Bill sang a song to me. It was my mom’s song to me. So after she died he sang, “I’ll be loving you always” and afterward he sang it every time he saw me, he’d break into song.
One of my BEST FRIENDS!
At 8 a.m. Mass, always smiling and being kind. Always at Kelli and Sam’s school activities. He was what God intended people to be!
I am thankful he gave me a chance to sing with the group. He was a wonderful person and friend. God Bell You my friend.
So sorry for the loss, but No More Pain.
I remember books for Christmas, The Bobsey Twins. I remember the visits of Granddad Niesslein. I remember the times when Bill and Paul sat and talked while everyone else was in another room. They were in the kitchen. I remember many good times at Marion’s, bad times when my grandparents were ill. But most of all I remember the love two brothers had for each other. It was a love that survived all trauma and tribulation and flourished and renewed itself in positive years.
I remember all of the times we talked and listened to music.
Noni took me to Dunkin Doughnuts every Sunday after Church for Breakfast. Always made fun and tole me when to go get my hair cut.
Dad taught us to be good students. But when I brought home As, he would say I “brown-nosed” the teacher. He was a good family man and cared about all of us. He surprised me with a visit to Oregon a year before his stroke. It was special to have him be in Oregon with his grandkids and watch them participate in their activities. But I loved most his love of classical music. I know I got this same appreciation from my Dad. When I hear a symphony or choir, it is so amazing to listen to all the instruments and parts. I will miss him dearly and remember him in every musical note.
I remember as a child, visitng the Bakers and playing on the huge porch at the Niesslein home. Then as life continues, my daughter became friends with little Sam and the connection continued. Noni was an awesome man but a SUPER awesome grandfather. He will always be remembered by my family as always being at the ball games of Kelli and Sam. He is in a much better place and we all will see him someday for he is saving a place for each of us.