William E. Speakman Jr.

William E. Speakman Jr., 71, of Canonsburg, died Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in St. Clair Hospital, Mt. Lebanon.

He was born August 26, 1949 in Washington, the son of William E. and Muriel Smith Speakman. 

Bill was a 1967 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School, graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1971 where he was a member of ROTC, and received his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, TN in 1974. He served as First Lieutenant in the Army Reserves from 1974-1978.

Following his graduation, he began his law career with the Peacock-Keller Law Firm in Washington and started his own law practice in 1979, eventually becoming senior partner in what is presently the Speakman, Reithmuller and Allison Law Firm in Washington. 

Bill was a member of the Washington County Bar Association, the long-time editor of the Washington Legal Journal, and served as Child Custody and Conference Officer for Washington County.

He was a lifelong member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Houston where he taught adult Sunday school for many years.

Bill’s other memberships included the Washington Rotary Club, Chartiers Lodge #297 F & AM, Scottish Rite, Valley of Pittsburgh, and the Syria Shrine.

In his free time, Bill was an avid reader and train watcher, and enjoyed participating in the Boy Scouts with his sons.  He was an inspiration, role model, and unwavering supporter of his children who will truly miss him.

He is predeceased by his parents and his wife, Betsy Shaffer Speakman.

Surviving are three children, William E. Speakman III and his wife Alison Schoppe of Canonsburg, Matthew K. Speakman and his wife Jessica Hoge of Bozeman, MT and Margaret Jane Speakman and her husband Kevin Johnsen of Mammoth Lakes, CA; three grandchildren, Cora and Mae Speakman and Austin Schoppe.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 Monday in the McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, Owner/Supervisor, 27 Cherry Ave., Houston, PA 15342. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 23, 2021 in the First United Presbyterian Church, 102 North Main Street, Houston, PA 15342.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First United Presbyterian Church.

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