William Albert Norling, Jr.

William A. Norling, Jr. passed peacefully to his eternal reward April 15, 2019 at age 97.

Bill was born and raised in Struthers, Ohio, the only child of Velma and William Norling, Sr.

He interrupted his college education to enlist in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He served as a B-25 bomb crew navigator in The Pacific Theater completing 40 combat missions over Japan. The crew witnessed the mushroom cloud over Nagasaki as they returned from their final mission.

Typical of his generation, Bill seldom spoke of his military experiences. Upon learning of Bill’s passing our family received touching reminiscences about Navigator “Willie” from surviving Pilot “Skip” Thrune.

Post war, Bill completed a business degree from The Ohio State University. Mention of his Alma Mater would always spark an endearing memory even in the late stages of cognitive decline.

Upon returning to Youngstown, Bill was employed at Stambaugh Thompson where he met the lovely Georgia Amadio. Undaunted by her large Italian family and stern father, Bill and Georgia married in September of 1950. She survives him as “the wife and idol of his life” these 68 years. The two bedroom home they bought in New Middletown had to be enlarged to raise their six children.

Their eldest daughter, Dr. Laura Norling pre-deceased Bill.

Surviving him are three sons, Samuel, Aaron, Wm E Norling (Elaine) and Laura’s husband, Mark Owen; also two daughters Susan Anderson (Hugo) and Helen (Mark) Noel, who lovingly cared for Dad in her home this final year of his earthly life. 

Even as age robbed him of memory, and independence, Bill’s sweet expression of gratitude for kindness never failed. Whoever brought his morning coffee was greeted with “You saved my life!”

As his children, we have been truly blessed (and occasionally vexed) by Bill’s indomitable inner strength and life long desire to graciously provide and care for the family he so dearly loved.

 Dependability was a hallmark of Bill’s 30-year career with Flowline Corporation culminating in promotion to Vice President of sales. 

Bill’s abiding Faith in Christ and gratitude for God’s Grace is another of the gifts that will live on as a blessing for his 5 grandchildren: Dr. Matthew (Amy) Owen, Rachel Scott (Aaron Wasserman), Melissa (Troy) Haire, Leah (Mike) Krohn, Mark Noel (fiancée Rebekah); and to Bill’s four great-grandsons, Teddy Owen, Nathan Wasserman, Luca and Mason Krohn, Great-grandpa Navigator Willie will shine through the stars in the night sky and ask “Who are those Cutie Pies?”

Bill’s memorial service will be held Saturday April 20 at 11 AM in New Middletown at the Clemente Funeral Home.  Family will welcome visitors the preceding hour from 10-11 AM

For any who wish to honor Bill’s memory with a donation family suggests: c/o Freedom Church 9900 Youngstown-Pittsburgh Rd. P.O. Box 426 New Middletown Oh 44442

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