Greensburg native had 'the best' life

If everything in Bill Heubel’s world was “the best,” as he liked to say, then his life would fit that description too.

“He was quite a man,” said his niece, Bernadette Scully.

Mr. Heubel was a veteran, a retired lawyer, a world traveler, an avid golfer, a musician, a composer, a volunteer and a devout Catholic.

“He just felt like he had the best community to live in (Greensburg). Everything was ‘the best.’ It was one of those words he used a lot,” Scully said.

William Bernard Heubel of Greensburg died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. He was 91.

Born in Sharon on March 7, 1928, he was a son of the late Herman and Margaret (Becker) Heubel. He grew up in a musical family with six siblings.

He attended St. Joseph’s Parochial School for eight years and graduated from Sharon High School. He studied engineering law at Purdue University and got his law degree at Indiana University.

He was an Army veteran, serving in Japan following the Japanese surrender in World War II.

He spent his career working as a lawyer for Westinghouse.

Although he dated, Mr. Heubel was a lifelong bachelor. He was a devoted uncle to numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

“He was very connected to his extended family,” Scully said. “He was engaged fully in life, fun to be around, a great conversationalist and enjoyed socializing in many realms. He seldom missed a family wedding or special event.”

Scully said she enjoyed hanging out with her uncle, whether it was going to see the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra or the local band Neon Swing Xperience.

“I just thought it was so funny that a 90-year-old would want to go see this band at the Hard Rock Cafe,” she said.

Mr. Heubel was a lifelong piano player who enjoyed entertaining people on his baby grand piano. He played mostly by ear and composed his own music. His last performance was Feb. 11, just five days before he died.

He was a world traveler who visited to Rome, Venice, Germany, Mexico, South America and Asia. He sponsored children through the charity Unbound and once visited one of the children he sponsored.

His support of other Catholic charities was an outgrowth of his strong Catholic faith, Scully said. He volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul, supported Saint Vincent Seminary and was an active member of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Greensburg.

Mr. Heubel was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Hannastown Golf Club. He also enjoyed bowling and ice skating.

“He still golfed this past year with a couple of his nephews,” Scully said. “He just gave up ice skating four or five years ago.”

Scully described her uncle as a gentleman who was unabashedly old-school. “We never saw him in anything but golf shoes or wingtips. … He was something else — we loved him dearly,” she said.

Mr. Heubel is survived by his siblings, Herm and Margaret; his sisters-in-law, Leone and Judy; 23 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and first cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. March 9 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. Inurnment will immediately follow at Saint Vincent Cemetery, Latrobe.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Foundation, c/o Herman and Margaret Heubel Memorial Fund, Diocese of Greensburg, 723 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601; or Saint Vincent Seminary, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.