William J. Cornelius, 81, of Scott Road, Emlenton, formerly of Pittsburgh, passed away Monday morning at the Countryside Nursing Home in Mercer.

Born on Jan. 6, 1934, in Pittsburgh, William was the son of the late Andrew P. and Catherine Carroll Cornelius.

He was a 1952 graduate of Brentwood High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving from 1952 to 1957. He enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, hunting and fishing.

Mr. Cornelius owned and operated his own wallpaper business in the Monroeville area.

He is survived by his wife, Jean M. Kuhn Cornelius, who he married on June 26, 1954, in Pittsburgh. Also surviving are eight children, Richard Cornelius and his wife, Joanne, of Emlenton, Peggy Wilcox and her husband, Martin, of Espyville, David Cornelius and his wife, Johnna, of Monroeville, Beth Redling and her husband, Joseph, of Plum Borough, Carolyn Barlow of Dothan, Ala., William Cornelius and his wife, Jodie, of Montana, Vicky Marie Cornelius of Verona and John C. Cornelius and his wife, Robyn, of Industry; 21 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles Cornelius of Pittsburgh; one sister, Catherine Polusny of Mount Lebanon; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one great-granddaughter.

CORNELIUS — Friends of William J. Cornelius, who died Monday, July 20, 2015, will be received from noon to 2 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Hile Funeral Home, 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church, Emlenton, with the Rev. William R. Barron, church pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Michael Cemetery, Emlenton.A recitation of the rosary will be at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be made to Charitable Deeds, 98 Hickory Nut Lane, Knox, PA 16232 or the Soup Group at the St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church, P.O. Box 177, Emlenton, PA 16373.For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.