William Devella Dexter, 85, of Lawrenceville, PA
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Friend
William Devella Dexter, 85, of Lawrenceville, PA, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022, in the Grand Strand Memorial Hospital, Myrtle Beach, SC.
Born August 5, 1937, in the Blossburg Hopsital, PA, he was the 4th son and 8th child of Fred and Mabel Luella Hart Dexter. Just out of high school he and his brother Allen played guitars and sang at roller rinks and other public places.
He was employed with Corning Glass Works for 37 years where he was a skilled tradesman also known as a platinum smith. He retired when he was 55 and enjoyed life until he passed. He either played or listened to bluegrass or classis country music most of the day.
In the late 60’Star and early 70’s, he, his sister, Ruth, her husband, Bill, and others formed a bluegrass country band called The Country Travelers and played at town old home days, jamborees, several bars including the Moose Lodge in Elkand, PA, a Saturday radio show on WFRM in Coudersport, PA for a couple years and a couple times on TV on George Varney’s Music show.
He was a lifetime member with the Moose Lodge.
He came from a family of 8 sisters and 4 brothers. Surviving him is his 4th brother, Clifton (Helen) Dexter of Westfield PA, and his 5th sister, Dorothy Bruce of Wellsboro PA, his very close friend Jeannie Hager of Lawrenceville PA, daughter Vivian (Terry) Martin of Myrtle Beach SC, and their 2 sons, Sean and Ethan. 10 other siblings who passed before him are, Norris (Sara) Dexter, Evelyn (Jack) Johnston, Lola (Joe) Shabloski, Marietta (Fred) Coupe, Jim (Pat) Dexter, Doris (John) Young, Allen (Lucy) Dexter, Ruth (Bill) Schweigart, Sandra Dexter, Linda Dexter and his granddaughter, Rachel Martin.
He is cremated and will be buried in the Tioga County Memorial Gardens.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at The Ven-You, 174 Water Tower Road, Lawrenceville, PA 16929, on Saturday, July 22nd from 2pm-5pm. Everyone is invited! Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Please come and share your memories with other friends and our family!