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William “Bill” Arthur Gadson
Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | July 22, 2024
William “Bill” Arthur Gadson, 92, of Clairton died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on July 16, 2024, in AHN Jefferson Hospital in Jefferson Hills, PA. He was born April 21, 1932, in Clairton, Pennsylvania, and was the beloved son of the late Moses and the late Hattie Gibbs Gadson. He was one of eleven children.
Bill was a graduate of Clairton High School and served in the U.S. Air Force as a radio mechanic for the fighter bomber wing in the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge in 1953, he returned to Clairton and married the late Dron Gloria Jarrett Gadson. Through that marriage, their son, Corey Lee Gadson, was born.
Bill had a brief career working in the U.S. Steel National Tube Works in McKeesport, PA. He was well respected in the Clairton Community as a political advocate who encouraged voter participation. He led civic engagement initiatives and helped organize the local Democratic Party. He and other leaders were known for sponsoring youth bus trips and a variety of youth sports activities.
Historically Bill is known for fighting for civil service employment opportunities for African American men in Clairton. He sat for the civil service exam for nine consecutive years scoring in the top two each time. Despite his scoring rank, Black men were not afforded city employment opportunities at that time. He and a group of six other African American men from Clairton led a campaign to encourage the African American community to switch political parties to elect a candidate for mayor who made and fulfilled a campaign promise to desegregate the City of Clairton. As a result, 13 African American men obtained employment on the local police and fire departments. Bill joined the Clairton Fire Department and because of his work ethic, determination, and leadership skills rose to become Clairton’s first Black Fire Chief and possibly the first Black Chief in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Following his retirement from the City of Clairton, he worked in the maintenance department of the Allegheny County Housing Authority from where he fully retired
In 1981 Bill married the late Maude Elizabeth Fields Ramsey Gadson at Morning Star Baptist Church (MSBC) in Clairton. His son, Corey, and Maude’s oldest daughter, Wendy, stood as attendants and witnesses to their deep and abiding love for one another. As a result of their commitment to each other, Bill and Maude blended their family and Bill became the dad of Wendy, Myra, Lesa, and Adolph.
Throughout his life, Bill continued to be active in church and the community. He served on the MSBC Usher Board #2. He was also a member and past president of the Clairton Branch of the NAACP. In addition, he was a former member of the James Royster Post 817 American Legion and the Henry C. Williams Post #666 in McKeesport, PA.
Bill Gadson was a warm, kindhearted, and giving person. Although he was a man of few words he was regaled for his wisdom. He maintained many deep relationships and was a mentor to other city leaders. However, it was his commitment and devotion to family that was his inspiration for life. His primary focus was his love for his entire family. He was EVERYTHING to EVERYONE. Bill had the uncanny ability to make each person believe that there was no one else as important in his life because everyone was important in his life. As he matured in age, his entire family rallied to offer continuous love and support. However, a special acknowledgement of thanks is offered to his grandsons Andre Gissendanner and J.R. Chaney who provided additional support.
Left to cherish and honor his memory are his children, Corey (Trisha) Gadson of Forest Hills, PA; Wendy (Daniel) Bradley of Turtle Creek, PA; Myra Cash of McKeesport, PA; Lesa (Clyde) Mitchell of Penn Hills, PA; and Adolph (Katrina) Ramsey of Temple Hills, MD; his sister, Nia Gadson Clay of Upper Marlboro, MD; his brother, David (Miller) Gadson of Washington, D.C.; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and his Morning Star family.
Due to the exceptional care offered and the manner in which the medical staff honored his last wish, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to AHN Jefferson Hospital in memory of William Gadson.
Visitation
Monday
July 22, 2024
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Morning Star Baptist Church
307 Shaw Avenue
Clairton, PA 15025
Funeral Service
Tuesday
July 23, 2024
11:00 AM
Morning Star Baptist Church
307 Shaw Avenue
Clairton, PA 15025
Interment following funeral service
Tuesday
July 23, 2024
McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery
1608 Fifth Avenue
McKeesport, PA 15132
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Arthur Gadson, please visit our floral store.
Originally published July 22, 2024.
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