William "Bill" G. S. Sherman, Jr.

"William G.S. Sherman, Jr., "Bill," passed away peacefully at home at the age of 83. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 13, 1943, he was the son of Thelma Williams Sherman and William Gilbert Stuart Sherman, Sr.

As a young man, Bill displayed the courage and selflessness that would define his life. At the age of 14, he was awarded the Carnegie Medal after rescuing a young girl from drowning in Slippery Rock Creek. Even decades later, he regarded the medal as one of the greatest honors of his life.

Bill spent more than three decades as operating Allegheny Ceramics, a business he built with his mother, until its closing in 2001. A meticulous lifelong learner, he embraced a new career in his late fifties, drawing on decades of self-taught computer programming to become the lead programmer for the Allegheny Bar Association, an exceptional accomplishment at a time when such a transition was virtually unheard of.

Above all, Bill was devoted to the people he loved. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 25 years, Marita; his beloved children, Clifford, William, Jennifer, and Paul; and his grandchildren, Ewan and Meredith.

An avid fly fisherman and photographer, Bill found peace in trout streams and joy behind a camera lens. He was a voracious reader whose interests ranged from Civil War history and detective novels to the natural world, especially streams, trout, and conservation. 

Family and friends could always count on him for wisdom and perspective. He will be remembered not only for the life he built, but for his humor, humility, curiosity, and strength with which he lived it."

If schedule allows, please attend a gathering of friends and family SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026 at the Forward Township Firehall (9019 Roberts Hollow Road, Elizabeth, PA 15037) from 1 - 5 p.m.

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