William Bert Bela Fecho
William Bert Bela Fecho, 89, of Lorain, Ohio, retired steelworker, World War II Army veteran and Lorain Sports Hall of Fame inductee, died Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at Community Health Partners Regional Medical Center, Lorain, following a short illness.
He was born June 12, 1920, in Lorain and was a life long resident. He graduated in 1938 from Lorain High School.
Mr. Fecho served as a corporal in World War II. He was one the first American solders to enter Japan when he landed on Atsugi airdrome near Tokyo two days before V-J Day.
He earned the Asiatic-Pacific Theater ribbon with one bronze battle star, Philippine Liberation ribbon with one bronze battle star and Victory, Good Conduct and Army of Occupation-Japan medals.
Mr. Fecho retired in 1981 from Lorain-Cuyahoga Works of United States Steel Corp. in Lorain, where he worked for more than 40 years. He was a member of United Steel Workers Union Local 1104 of Lorain.
He was inducted in the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. He was a member of the 1952 state champion Fattys Sports Club Class A fast pitch softball team and was named All-State.
He enjoyed gardening.
Among his survivors are his nephews, Kenneth J. Fecho with whom he made his home, Robert S. Fecho of Coconut Grove, Fla., Raymond L. Fecho of Lorain; a niece, Helen E. Fecho Edwards of Elyria, Ohio; and many grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Steven and Fanni (nee Yeager) Fecho; brothers, Steven, Louis and John Fecho; and a sister, Helen Fecho.
His family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. funeral service Saturday, December 5, 2009, at Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street in South Lorain. Rev. Thomas R. Smith, pastor of St. John Roman Catholic Church, Lorain, will officiate.
Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, where Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20, Lorain, will conduct military honors.
To contact the funeral home, call (440) 277-8164.
This obituary was prepared by the family and funeral home and edited slightly by ObitsOhio.com.