William T. James, Iii

William Thomas “Tom” James III, 69, of Patterson Heights, formerly of Salem, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on July 4, 2016. He was born in Youngstown, OH, on January 30, 1947. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Deborah (Debbie) Smiley James, his daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Baker James, and son William (Billy) Thomas James IV. He is also survived by his father, William Thomas James II, of Canfield, OH. Also surviving are brother Rev. Dr. Peter G. James (Christine), sister Molly (Ron) Ohsner, sisters-in-law Donna Duchene (Marc Field), and Diane (Robert) Campbell; nieces and nephews Ryan (Anna) Duchene, Rev. Andrew (Becky) James, Meghan (Ben) Wolfe, Emily (Mike) O’Connor, Lauren (Patrick) Russell, Colin (Heidi) Campbell, Kelly (Chad) Davies, John (Jessica) Ohsner. He also leaves dearly loved grand-nieces and nephews. His mother, Martha Gessner James, and in-laws, Charles and Eileen Smiley, and brother-in-law David Duchene preceded him in death. Tom graduated from Canfield High School in 1965, and is in the Canfield Athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated from Ohio University in 1970, where he majored in engineering. He played football as a defensive tackle at OU, including two years when the team won the Mid-American Conference. He played in the Tangerine Bowl in 1968. He was second-team All-MAC. He also played for the semi-professional football team, the Youngstown Hardhats. He served in the early 1970s as a US Marine Corp officer. Tom led two companies as President for over 40 years: Miller Spreader Company of Youngtown, OH, and Akron Gear and Engineering Inc. He was Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors for the parent company, Forge Industries Inc. Tom was very active at First Presbyterian Church of Beaver, PA, and led a Men’s Bible study there for many years. He and his wife were also involved in college ministry for many years at their church. He served on the Geneva College Engineering Advisory Board. Tom was an amazing and faithful husband, father, relative, friend, and co-worker, humble and patient in all he did. He loved his family and serving others, and enjoyed running, woodworking, landscaping, and his Ford Model A. Calling hours will be at First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Ave., Beaver, on Friday, July 8, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in the Commons. A celebration of life service will be held at First Presbyterian, in the sanctuary, on Saturday, July 9, at 11:00 a.m. There will also be brief calling hours before the service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The service will be conducted by his pastor Rev. Dr. Henry Knapp and his family friend Rev. Ken Wagoner. There will be a private interment at Beaver Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Coalition for Christian Outreach, 5912 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206; Geneva College, 3200 College Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010; or Beaver County Christian School, 510 37th Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.