William Stephen “Bill” Balint, 88, of Indiana, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Indiana Regional Medical Center.
Born on Nov. 30, 1930, in Johnstown, he was the son of the late William Stephen Balint, Sr. and Myrtle Beaujon Balint.
Bill graduated from Indiana High School (1948) and the United States Naval Academy (1952), later earning a master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
He was a member of Indiana High’s first undefeated and untied football team in 1947. Bill and his brothers each played on undefeated Indiana High football teams. He played football at Navy prior to suffering a career-ending knee injury.
Bill served 20 years as a U.S. Naval Officer, earning the rank of Captain. He became a Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer for 37 years beginning in 1969, mentoring over 100 future midshipmen throughout West-Central Pennsylvania. Bill received a Naval Academy Commandant’s Award for outstanding achievement and was Greater Johnstown Armed Forces Week general chairman. He was a member of the Reserve Officers Association, the Navy League, The Naval Academy Alumni Association and The Military Order of the World Wars. Bill earned the ROA Minute Man Award for his patriotism.
Bill held several leadership positions and was appointed to several boards during his 34-year civilian career. His time as a plant manager at Kane Manufacturing in Kane was the culmination of that distinguished career.
Bill was a member of the Indiana Area School Board in parts of five decades during three different stints beginning in 1968. He served at School Board President (!973-80) and helped guide the Indiana Area Junior High renovation of the mid 1970’s. Bill never lost a school board election during his 24 years of service. He also served in numerous civic and church roles during his life, such as the St. Bernard’s Parish Council and the Citizens Ambulance Board. He was also a member of the Allied Club.
Nothing was more important to Bill than his faith and his family. He demonstrated great faith and courage during battles with several major health setbacks spanning more that two decades. He was a member of St. Bernard Clairvaux Catholic Church in Indiana for most of his life and was a proud fourth degree Knights of Columbus member.
Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years, Shirley (Allen) Balint; his three brothers and their wives: Francis (Barbara) Balint, of Fredericksburg, Va.; Barry (Carol) Balint, of Harrisburg; and Joseph (Wannel) Balint, of Raleigh, N.C.; his five children and their spouses: Sheryl (Richard) Vanderneck, of Indiana; Mary Beth (Vincent) Palilla, of Indiana; Maura (Bill) Laughlin, of Cary, N.C.; Margaret (Mark) Shelhamer, of Pottsville; and Bill (Amy) Balint III, of Indiana; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Vincent Palilla.
There is no visitation. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held for family and friends at a later date. Robinson-Lytle, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
The family kindly suggests memorial contributions in memory of Bill be made to The American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15205-4620.
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