William Conrad Rossmann, 89, of Forward Township, died Thursday, December 21, 2023. The darkest day of the year became a little darker. He was born July 26, 1934, in Pittsburgh, the son of the late Walter Henry Rossmann Sr. and Bernice Marie Klingensmith.

Bill's name perfectly describes the man that he was. William: Strong Protector. Conrad: Brave Counsel or Advisor. Rossmann: Horse Man. Not as in man who owns a horse or man who rides a horse but literally, man who is a horse, as in Centaur, strong, works hard and carries the load.

Bill had an incredible work ethic and an even stronger moral compass. He began working as a child during WWII, tending to farm animals and doing odd jobs to fill the vacuum left by the men at the front. He also collected scrap metal for the War Effort. He would take his scrap to the local movie theater and exchange it for admission to the current film. If he collected a whole wagon load, he could get all his friends in, too. He dropped out of school at age 16 to start a lifetime of hard work, mostly driving truck and laboring for bricklayers.

He enjoyed retirement for 27 years after working for Harris Masonry, Inc. for 33 years. He was never without a side hustle, working most weekends to provide for his large family whom he dearly loved. In his retirement he traveled all over the United States, over 9,000 miles with Rosemary visiting all but 3 states. He also enjoyed many weekends of camping and boating with his family. People would say of him that he was the best man they ever knew and if you gave him a measuring tape and a hammer he could build a great pyramid. In his lifetime, he built two houses for his family and helped build his son's home.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Staud), of 68 years, whom he met on the school bus in 1949. During the war, both of their fathers worked building LSTs on the Ohio River earning enough money to buy properties in Bethel Park about one mile apart. That bus ride to Jr. High was the beginning of a lifetime of friendship and love. He also leaves five children, Beverly (Jeffrey) Lytle of Monongahela, Leslie (Robert) Corbett of Monongahela, Janet (Gregory) Laurick of Glendale, Arizona, Joan (Nickolas) Krizmanich of Elizabeth, and William W. (ValJean) Rossmann of Forward Township; a brother, Ronald (Suzanne) Rossmann of Peters Township; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Henry Rossmann Jr. of Bethel Park; his sister, Donna Marie (William) Kelley of Katy, Texas; his grandson, Jacob William Bendel of Elizabeth; his grandson-in-law, Ryan Fissella of Everson.

He was an enthusiastic cyclist. Until recently, he was able to do 25 miles on the bike trail. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Great Allegheny Passage, P. O. Box 242, West Newton, PA 15089.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life that will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 3-7 PM at Mon Valley Country Club, 1188 Country Club Rd., Monongahela.