William H. Curry, 81, of Eau Claire died at 3:26 p.m. Saturday at his home after an illness.

Born in Butler, April 25, 1924, he was the son of Howard J. and Ruth Brunner Curry.

He was a United Methodist, served the church as a certified lay speaker for years; and for years, he had worked diligently in many capacities at the former Argentine United Methodist Church.

Mr. Curry had been a steamfitter with Local 47 in Pittsburgh,

He enlisted in the Army on March 24, 1943, and served during World War II with the 65th Infantry Division. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Service Medal, the Victory Medal and the European-African Theater Service Medal with two bronze stars. He was honorably discharged Feb. 27, 1946, with the rank of staff sergeant.

He was a member of the Foxburg American Legion Post 0636 and the Parker VFW Post 7073. He also belonged to Canby Lodge 520 F&AM, Lodge Council Chapter Consistory Valley of Coudersport and Syria Shriners of Pittsburgh. He enjoyed gardening and fishing.

Surviving are his wife, Mary "Mazie" Baptiste Curry, whom he married Feb. 9, 1943; a daughter, Margaret "Peggy" Covert of Parker; two sons, Robert William Curry and his wife, Marilyn, of Ypsilanti, Mich., and Ronald Curry and his wife, Lorraine, of Fort Myers Beach, Fla.; a sister, Mrs. Elinor A. Hinchberger and her husband, Chuck, of Butler; and three brothers, Richard Curry, Donald Curry and his wife, Allene, and Charles Curry and his wife, Diane, all of Butler.

He also is survived by eight grandchildren, Crystal Coggins, Sherri Billman, Heather Goodhart, Holly Malehorn, Jessica Curry, Raymond Covert and Adam and Eric Curry; and three great-grandchildren, Ashleigh Coggins, Luren Billman and Alaina Dorans.

CURRY - Friends of William H. Curry, who died Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at H. JACK BUZARD FUNERAL HOME, Main Street, Eau Claire. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dan Myers, a United Methodist minister, officiating. Burial will follow at Butler County Memorial Park, Butler Township.Members of Canby Lodge 520 F&AM of St. Petersburg will hold a Masonic memorial service at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.The VFW and American Legion will hold at veteran's memorial service Wednesday at the funeral home following the funeral service.