William H. Biesel

William H. Biesel, 88, of Coudersport, Penn., formerly of Newtown, died June 25 in the Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.

Born March 2, 1917, in Coudersport, he was the son of William T. Biesel and Beth Harvey Biesel Mulchay. On July 15, 1955, in Williamsport, Penn., he married the former Jane L. Todd, who predeceased him in 1987.

A graduate of the Peddie School (Cum Laude Society) in Hightstown, N.J., he earned a degree in journalism from Syracuse University, Class of 1939.

 Mr Biesel was a World War II veteran, serving with the US Army Signal Corps in the Pacific Theatre from 1942 to ‘46, discharged at the rank of master sergeant. As a cryptographic technician, he directed a US Army base code room on New Guinea and later directed the code room at GHQ AFPAC signal center in Manila, which served the headquarters of General MacArthur as CINC AFPAX and later as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.

After the war, he was a partner in the financial services firm Biesel and Way in Coudersport until 1957. He then worked for the Potter Enterprise until 1962. From 1962 to 2000, he was employed with The Newtown Bee (1962–1965) and Bridgeport Telegram Post (1965–2000), now the Connecticut Post, retiring as city editor at age 83.

He returned to Coudersport in 2002. He was a charter member of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Brookfield, member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Coudersport, Sons of the American Revolution, General James Potter Chapter, Eulalia Lodge #342 F & AM in Coudersport, and the Coudersport Consistory.

Surviving are a son, Captain Douglass Todd  Biesel, USN, and his wife, Beth, of Silverdale, Wash.; a daughter, Deborah Anne Wilker and her husband, Ronald, of Coudersport; four grandchildren; a half-brother, David Biesel of Haworth, N.J.; and a half-sister, Barbara Stinnett Biesel of Ownings, Md. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a son, Roger James Biesel in 1985; two half-brothers; and two half-sisters.

Funeral services were held Thursday, June 30, in the First United Presbyterian Church, Coudersport. Graveside services will be held 10 am Saturday, July 2, in Newtown Village Cemetery, Newtown. The Rev Ann M. Beams will officiate. Military rites will be accorded at the grave.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West Whisconier, Brookfield CT 06804.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Olney Funeral Home, Ulysses, Penn.

The Newtown Bee                 July 1, 2005