William J. Berresford, age 78 of North Huntingdon, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Redstone Highlands in North Huntingdon. He was born on Monday, September 1, 1947, in Williamsport, PA, a son of the late Laura and William Berresford.
Bill was a former member of St. James Episcopal Church in Mansfield, PA, and also a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in North Versailles.
He earned a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Mansfield State Teacher’s College. Bill was a beloved music teacher of over 35 years, having taught for both Southern Tioga School District in Mansfield, PA, and Athens Area School District in Athens, PA. He was a talented trombonist, having played in the Corning Philharmonic, Elmira Symphony, Williamsport Repaz Band, Mansfield University Brass Quintet, and Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. Bill was President of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), and a recipient of the PMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award.
Shown is Bill Berresford’s Lionel model circus trains set up at Mansfield’s Fabulous 1890’s event. Images by Lonny Frost © September 2014.
In his free time, Bill was a Lionel model train collector and repairman. He always looked forward to leading Park Ministry at various Northern Tier State Parks.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Kell Berresford, two daughters, Andrea Mulligan (husband, Ivan) and Heather Thomas (husband, Matt), one sister, Bettsy Jodon (husband, Robert), and four grandsons, Ian, Andrew, Owen, and Simon.
Service was held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 715 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles, PA on Saturday, August 15th. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given in Bill’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church, or St. James Episcopal Church in Mansfield, PA. James W. Shirley Funeral Home, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon, handled arrangements. www.shirleyfuneralhome.com.
