The Very Rev. Protopresbyter William “Father Bill” Diakiw of Renfrew, passed away Jan. 20, 2023, in his home, with family by his side.

He was born in Chicago on July 24, 1932, to the Very Rev. William and Mary Bilan Diakiw. His father served as a priest in several churches before settling in McKees Rocks, where William graduated from high school in 1950. He went on to attend Duquesne University to study music. While in college, he was a member of a 10-piece dance band and sang in various churches in Western Pennsylvania. When William felt God calling him to serve his Ukrainian Orthodox church, he then attended St. Andrew’s College of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to earn his Bachelor of Divinity Degree. A few years later, William earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Youngstown State University.

Bill married the love of his life, Sonia Ann Peltz of Arnold, Pa., on Aug. 28, 1955. Several weeks later at St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Sharon, Pa., where his father was pastor, Bill was ordained into the diaconate by Archbishop Volodymyr of Detroit. In 1956, at Holy Virgin UOC in Arnold, Pa., Father Bill was ordained a priest by Archbishop Volodymyr. He was then assigned to the parish in Sharon, Pa.

During his 12 years in Sharon, Father Bill directed the accomplishment of many projects including the remodel of the outside of the church building, expansion of the church school program, and liquidating the mortgage. He also worked at Sharon High School as a substitute teacher.

In July 1968, Father, Pani Matka Sonia, and their three children moved to Lyndora to serve Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church. During the next 22 years, Father was instrumental in the remodeling and enlargement of the church, renovation of the Ukrainian Hall, the purchase of additional land, and the creative new idea of having a Ukrainian smorgasbord as a fundraiser. He encouraged the parishioners to become more involved in civic affairs. One memorable time was the 1976 Bicentennial Parade. Parishioners worked together to build an inspirational Ukrainian American float featuring a Pysanka and The Statue of Liberty, both over 10 feet tall. While serving the Lyndora parish, Father Bill was elevated to protopresbyter, which is the highest honor for a priest, by Metropolitan Mystyslav Skrypnyk from South Bound Brook, N.J.

In 1990, Father Bill was a member of the Metropolitan Council at our church center in South Bound Brook, N.J. He was elected to serve as vice president and, later, president of the consistory, which is the administration office of our church. For 15 years, Father Bill dedicated his work to the improvement and growth of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Father Bill was the pastor of Holy Trinity UOC in New Castle, upon his return to Western Pennsylvania with Pani Matka Sonia at his side.

One of Father Bill’s interests was music. He taught the parish choir many new hymns, in both Ukrainian and English. He shared that love with the Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOL) of the USA by preparing music in Ukrainian and English for various special events, often directing the group of faithful singers.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Father Diakiw served as spiritual adviser to the Ukrainian Orthodox League of the USA and All Saints Camp of the UOC for many years. As chairman of the Diocesan Church School Commission, Father Bill wrote and translated various religious pamphlets. He organized the First Orthodox Church School Teachers Conference. A major enjoyment in Father Bill’s life was to organize the first Church School Camp in 1975 for children ages 9 to 13, and continued to manage the program for several years. In 1978, Father Bill received the Metro Baran Award for his work with the youth. He was an active member of each deanery where his parish was located. He was always on the lookout for opportunities and outings for the faithful.

Over the years, Father Diakiw received a number of accolades. One in particular was the honor of delivering the opening prayer to the United States Congress in Washington, D.C., in 1965.

Father Bill also supported and aided many as the Orthodox Chaplain at the Butler Veterans Administration Hospital.

Father Bill, with Pani Matka Sonia at his side, were a dynamic couple in their ministry through their love, counseling and music. Witnessing them serve and sing together was a heartwarming experience.

The Very Rev. William Diakiw was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of over 67 years, Sonia, who died 17 days earlier on Jan. 3, 2023; his parents, the very Rev. William and Mary Diakiw; his uncle, John Bilan; his brother, Nicholas Diakiw ; one nephew, Derek Diakiw; and a son-in-law, Patrick Roach.

Father Bill (“Gigi”) is survived by his three children, Deborah Sonia Roach of Harrisonburg, Va., William “Ted” Diakiw of Beavercreek, Ohio, and Lydia Ann Rudolf (Mark) of Butler; eight grandchildren, Arianna Rock Speer (Carter), Jessica Roach Snyder (JR), Ethan Rock, Zachary Diakiw, Rachel Diakiw, Rebekah Roach, Joshua Roach and Kathleen Rudolf; and two great-grandchildren, Cooper Rock and Tucker Rock.

We, the family, would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Martin Funeral Home; our “Angel” caregivers; Good Samaritan Hospice; and family, friends and neighbors, who helped and sent us prayers, sympathy and comfort.

DIAKIW — Visitation for the Very Rev. Protopresbyter William “Father Bill” Diakiw, who died Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, will take place from noon until 2 p.m. and from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 21 Evergreen Drive, Lyndora.

The funeral service for a priest will follow at 7 p.m. Friday at the church.

Divine Liturgy and completion of the funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Metropolitan Antony, Archbishop Daniel, and Father Yurii Bobko officiating, along with fellow priests, deacons and seminarians.

Interment will take place at North Side Cemetery in Butler.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave., Butler.

Flowers are welcome, or contributions may be made in memory of the Very Rev. William and Pani Matka Sonia Diakiw and sent to Lydia Rudolf, P.O. Box 421, Lyndora, PA 16045. The funds will be allocated by the family to Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, All Saints UOC Camp/Diocesan Church School Camp, and St. Sophia’s Seminary/Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.