Bill Bratina (1929 - 2018)

Bill Bratina, 89, of Hershey, passed away peacefully Sunday November 4, 2018 with his loving family by his side.

Born October 22, 1929, he was the son of the late Mary and Louis Bratina. Bill graduated from Harrisburg Catholic High School in 1948. A veteran of the Korean Conflict, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Bill retired from Leroy Roofing Company as President and Chief Operating Officer. Bill was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Hershey, the PA Sports Hall of Fame, the VFW, the American Legion, and a previous member of Colonial Country Club. Bill was a huge fan of all Philadelphia sports teams, especially his beloved Phillies.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Janet (Milliken) Bratina, children Brenda Wolfe (William), William Bratina II, (Wendy), Kim Keefer, (Edward), Kelley Spotz, (Douglas), daughter-in-law Tammy Shaffer, fifteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, all of whom were the joy of his life. He is also survived by his brother, David Bratina (Brenda), sister-in-law Lois, many nieces and nephews and multiple extended family. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Betty J. Bratina, sons Brian S. Bratina and Michael W. Shaffer, and brothers Louis, Richard and Eugene Bratina.

Bill was an accomplished golfer, competing in and winning multiple tournaments, as well as sinking seven holes in one during the years he played the game he loved. He was inducted into the PA Capital Area Hall of Fame in 1996, and competed in the U.S. Senior Amateur Open, finishing among the top sixteen in the country. Bill was very proud of this and shared it with all of his doctors, nurses, and caretakers, informing them every chance he got that they were with a "legend." The highlight of Bill's later years was playing gin with the "boys" at the club.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 12th at 11:00am in his church at 359 W. Areba Ave., Hershey. The only visitation will be held on Sunday, November 11th from 4-6pm in the Hoover Funeral Home & Crematory in Hershey. Interment will be private.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. William Bird and his dedicated staff, as well as Bill's loving caregivers at Penn State Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38105 and Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Share condolences with the family at www.hooverfuneralhome.comwww.pennlive.com/obits
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Published on Pennlive.com and in The Patriot-News from Nov. 6 to Nov. 11, 2018