William Howard Peters

December 3, 1936 - August 31, 2021

William Howard Peters, 84, of Bluefield, W.Va., died at home under hospice care in the afternoon of August 31, 2021, of congestive heart failure. Bill, as he was known to family and friends, was born Dec. 3, 1936, in Rochester, Pa., the first child of Gilbert R. Peters and Pauline Erzen Peters of Conway, Pa. He was graduated from Rochester High School in 1954 and attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., on a football scholarship, later completing his B.S. degree in accounting from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. He married high school classmate Carmelita Mundo in 1963 in Rochester, and she survives. Bill moved with his family to Bluefield in 1970, becoming controller of Joy Manufacturing Company. After leaving Joy, he worked as a contract accountant until becoming co-owner, in 1984, of Beltone Hearing Aid Service, on Vineyard Street in Bluefield. He later became sole owner of the business, which he closed in 2006. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was a longtime member of fraternal organizations, including the Bluefield Elks Lodge 269, where he had served as exalted ruler and was treasurer for many years, stepping down just this year; the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1079, Bluefield; and the Conway Croatian Club 540. In addition to his wife, he is survived by children Paula Peters Chambers and husband Henry, of Richmond, Va.; G.R. Peters III and wife Renée of LaGrange, Ga., and Joseph Peters and wife Ellie, of Peoria, Ariz.; grandchildren Virginia Chambers of Lansing, Mich., William and Joseph Chambers of Richmond, and Grace Peters of Peoria; a godson, Mark Arbes of Milton, W.Va.; brothers David Peters and wife Susan of Wilmington, N.C., and Jerome Peters and wife Jan of Greensburg, Pa.; and additional relatives too numerous to name. He was predeceased by three siblings: Gilbert Peters, Mary Peters Celio (husband Bill survives) and Lillian Peters. He loved being with family, sharing stories and memories. Visitation will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1003 Wyoming St., Bluefield, on Oct. 2, 2021, at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. Attendees are asked to wear masks and observe social distancing. The service will be livestreamed. Arrangements are by Mercer Funeral Home, 1231 W. Cumberland Road, Bluefield.