William E. Roth Jr.

Ed was born on November 30, 1931, the youngest child of William E. Roth, Sr. and Nancy Oldfield Roth in Houston, PA. He graduated from Chartiers Township High School (now Chartier-Houston High) in 1950. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1954. He married Virginia Kiger on October 4, 1958; she preceded him in death on March 25, 2017 after 59 years of loving marriage. After leaving the Navy, he joined Davis Saw and Knife Co. in Monroeville, PA, where he worked as a machinist and sawsmith for his entire career, retiring in 1996.

Ed and Virginia lived and raised their family in Plum, PA, before retiring to Waynesburg, Virginia’s hometown

He loved playing baseball in high school, where he was a star athlete and feared power hitter, and in the Navy. In adulthood Ed enjoyed playing golf. After retirement, he fulfilled the dream of a lifetime cand earned his private pilot license.

In his prime Ed was 6 feet 5 inches tall and strong as a bear. But he was always known as a gentle giant, quiet, sweet-natured, and soft-spoken, and was well-liked by all who knew him. Dad loved animals and they loved him, especially the over 30 cats that he and Mom adopted, cared for, and loved over the decades. So often, kitties who were scared and uncertain about trusting people seemed to be magically drawn to him and would find safety and security in Dad’s lap, which earned him the nickname “the Cat Whisperer” from his family.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold K. Roth and R. Clark Roth; and a sister, Helen Roth West.

He is survived by his son, Edward Roth, 64; daughter, Elissa Roth Gooden, 60; son-in-law, Thomas R. "Randy" Gooden, 64; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be private, and internment will be in Greene County Memorial Park in Morgan Township. A remembrance celebration for extended family and friends will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Behm Funeral Home, Waynesburg.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Mr. Roth’s name to the Humane Society of Greene County, 183 Jefferson Rd., Waynesburg PA 15370.

Condolences may be expressed at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12396462