He was born in Pittsburgh, PA to William & Matilda Cherilla, who preceded him in death, as did his sister Marianne Caspary. He is survived by his wife Diana, his children Stephen (Kathleen), Kevin (Jennifer) and Leslie (Steven) and 7 grandchildren; Tyler, Isabella, Adam, Lindsey, Hannah, Morgan and Lucas, and his sister, Barbara Zalagens.
Bill served during the Korean War as a US Army Paratrooper 11th Airborne Division. He drove a truck for many years and in 1978 was elected Secretary Treasurer for Teamster Local 249 for 12 years before retiring in 1991.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations be made to the K2 Adventures Foundation, William Francis Cherilla Prosthetic Center. Bill’s father lost his leg when he was 7 years old and the prosthetic center was built in his honor, giving people a new life! Donations can be made at the following link: https://k2adventures.org/programs/global-programs/william-francis-cherilla-prosthetic-center/
Services will be held on November 7, 2025 at 11:00 am, at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Road, Surprise, Az 85374. Committal service to follow at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85024, at 2:30 pm.
