Washington Cemetery

Margaret suffered in her later years with hardening of the arteries, hypertension and diabetes.

With her health failing, she was admitted to Washington Hospital. Sadly, she passed away there on Dec. 17, 1961 at the age of 73 years. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Fred B. Grimm and Rev. John H. DeBolt.

Norton outlived Margaret by nearly four years. He was burdened with heart disease and went for treatment to Torrance State Hospital in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, PA.

Stricken also with pneumonia, he died on Nov. 22, 1965. Co-officiating his funeral services were his pastors Rev. Ferd B. Park and Rev. John H. DeBolt.

His remains were lowered into eternal rest beside his wife's in the sacred soil of Washington Cemetery.

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~ Son John William "Jiggers" Bedillion Sr. ~

Son John William "Jiggers" Bedillion Sr. (1913-1975) was born on Nov. 4, 1913 in Washington.

His first wife was Betty Lee Conner (June 12, 1912-2002).

John and Betty produced three children -- John William Bedillion Jr., Kenneth Bedillion and Shirley Wise.

When the federal census was enumerated in 1940, John, Betty and Shirley lived together on Addison Street. The census-taker recorded that John was employed as a "screw boy" in a tin mill, likely Washington Tin Plate Company.

John also worked for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the Suwak Trucking Company. He also “owned and operated his own trucking business,” said the Washington Observer-Reporter. John and retired in mid-1972.

He served in the National Guard’s 110th Infantry. The family held a membership in the Hart Avenue Church of the Nazarene.

After a divorce, John wedded again on July 1, 1968 to Beatrice June (Roberts) Richmond (May 16, 1930-2018). She was the daughter of Harry and Florence (Walker) Roberts. (In an interesting twist, Beatrice's uncle Dolph Walker married John's cousin Hazel May Farabee of the family of Cleveland Farabee of Waynesburg.)

Beatrice had been married previously and brought two children to the union -- Donald Lee Richmond and Linda Mankey Denton. She was employed in Waynesburg by Greenway and was a member of Lone Pine Christian Church.

John was ill for the final year of his life. He succumbed at home in Washington on Nov. 27, 1975 at the age of 62. Following funeral services in the family church, conducted by Rev. William Williams, his remains were interred in Washington Cemetery. The Washington Observer-Reporter published an obituary.

Beatrice survived her husband by an astonishing 43 years. She maintained her home in Washington. She died at the age of 88 on June 6, 2018.

Former wife Betty Lee spent her final years in Washington. She passed away on Aug. 27, 2002 at the age of 90. Burial was in Claysville Cemetery.

Son John William "Bill" Bedillion Jr. (1942-2013) was born on May 14, 1942, in Washington. He wed Nancy Ellen Jones (April 9, 1945- ? ) on Aug. 6, 1960, when he was age 18 and she 15. Their six children were Michael Bedillion, Timothy Bedillion, Thomas "Tommy" Bedillion, Tammy Morabito, Tina Ehnert and Pamela Masteller. Bill followed his father's occupation in the transportation business, and was employed as a truck driver for Sam Cohen and Son (20 years' service), McLean Trucking (15 years) and Suwak. In his spare time, he enjoyed NASCAR races, gardening and camping at Bells Lake. Bill died in Washington Hospital at the age of 1 on Sept. 17, 2013. At his passing, he was survived by 14 grandchildren. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to Washington City Mission.

• Grandson Michael Bedillion ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In about 1983, he married Lynn, and they dwelled in Washington.

• Grandson Timothy Bedillion ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In about 1991, he was joined in wedlock with Judi. Their home has been in Oakdale, PA.

• Grandson Thomas "Tommy" Bedillion ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In about 1991, he was united in matrimony with Charlene. They live in Washington.

• Granddaughter Tammy Bedillion ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). Circa 1986, she wedded Nicholas "Nick" Morabito. Their home in 2013 was in Ona, WV.

• Granddaughter Tina Bedillion ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In about 1996, she was married to Hank Ehnert. They've resided in Washington.

• Granddaughter Pamela Bedillion ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). Circa 1994, she was joined in marital union with James "Jim" Masteller. They dwell in West Alexander, Washington County.

Son Kenneth Bedillion resided in Washington in 1975-2013.

Daughter Shirley Bedillion (1935- ? ) was born in 1935 in West Washington. She married Donald Wise ( ? - ? ). In 1975-2013, they dwelled in Washington. She was still living in 2013 when named in the obituary of her brother John William.

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Dick, Betty, Judy, 1945

~ Son Walter Kenneth "Dick" Bedillion ~

Son Walter Kenneth "Dick" Bedillion (1917-1999) was born on July 17, 1917 in Washington.

In 1939, at the age of 22, he married Elizabeth "Betty" Roach (1918-2005), daughter of Preston G. and Madeline (Chesser) Roach.

They together produced one daughter, Judith Ann Dicks.

Dick was a hammer driver for Jessop Steel Corp. in Washington. The family were members of West Washington Methodist Church.

During World War II, he served in the 1st Division of the US Army in the European Theatre. At the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest in Belgium in November 1944, he was hit in the neck with enemy mortar fire. The shrapnel severed key nerves controlling use of his legs and arms. He lay in a snowy foxhole for six hours until he was evacuated by a team of Army medics and taken to a barn for initial treatment. For the remaining 50-plus years of his life, Dick tackled life every day as a quadriplegic, always with grit, determination and a smile. 

Later, despite a handicap as a quadriplegic, he used his mind, positive attitude and limited physical resources to become a life member of the North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, and become president, director and chief of police in North Franklin, near Washington. 

Dick passed away on Nov. 6, 1999 at the age of 82. His remains were lowered into repose in Washington Cemetery.

Betty survived him by six years, and died in 2005.

Images of Dick's remarkable recovery were featured as Minerd.com's "Photo of the Month" in February 2007.

Daughter Judith Bedillion (1943-2023) was born on Jan. 28, 1943. She was a 1961 graduate of Trinity High School. On July 16, 1962, in Winchester, VA, the 22-year-old Judith married 27-year-old Rev. William G. Dicks Sr. (May 26, 1935-2008). They made a home in Washington and bore three children, Michelle Dicks, William G. "Bil" Dicks Jr. and Lori Davis Head. The family was plunged into grief at the death of daughter Michelle at birth. The Washington Observer-Reporter said she "enjoyed shopping, traveling, visiting her grandchildren, her weekly hair appointments and attending church with her husband." Sadly, William succumbed on Nov. 25, 2008. He rests in the Bedillion/Dicks plot at Washington Cemetery. Judith outlived him by 15 years. During that time she kept company with Ronald Bell, enjoying dining and travel. With her health in decline she was admitted to Premier Washington Health Center and died there on Dec. 6, 2023. Pastor Rick Bruckner led the funeral rites.

• Grandson William G. "Bil" Dicks (1968-living) was born in 1968. He makes his home in Washington, PA.

• Granddaughter Lori Dicks (1971-living) was born in 1971. She is a 1989 alumna of Trinity Senior High School. In 2013, she married Don Head ( ? -living). The Heads dwell in Leland, IL. She is the mother of two sons -- Paul William Head and David Lee Head.  

Tater, 1970

~ Son Lloyd James "Tater" Bedillion ~

Son Lloyd James "Tater" Bedillion (1918-1995) was born on Dec. 13, 1918 in Washington.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Lloyd never married and lived in the old family home at 865 Broad Street in West Washington.

Lloyd was a championship bowler, and was inducted into a bowlers hall of fame. He is known to have taken part in the 60th Annual Petersen Classic, held in Hoffman Estates, IL in May 1970, where the photo seen here was taken. Major national superstar bowlers such as the late Dick Weber are known to have bowled in the Petersen event during the years when he was involved. 

Circa 1989, the founder of this website, accompanied by his great-uncle Edward John Miner, a lifelong friend of Tater's, attempted to track down Tater one Sunday afternoon in Washington, but were unsuccessful.

Lloyd passed away in Pittsburgh at the age of 76 on May 29, 1995. He rests for eternity in Washington Cemetery.

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