Warren Knowles Killen, Sr.

WWII Army veteran Warren Knowles Killen Sr., 88, of Washington, died Monday, November 24, 2008, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township, following a brief illness. He was born February 18, 1920, in Washington, a son of Harry Edward Killen Sr. and Alma Robena Knowles Killen. Mr. Killen graduated from Washington High School in January 1939 and then attended Washington & Jefferson College. On May 14, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a teletypewriter installer and repairman. He participated in five major battles, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Northern Appennines and Po Valley. Mr. Killen was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with five bronze service stars, the Meritorious Unit Emblem and the World War II Victory Medal. He was discharged on October 16, 1945, with a rank of staff sergeant. For 34 years, Mr. Killen worked for Bell Telephone Co., first as an installer and then as an instructor in the plant training center. He retired in 1975. Mr. Killen was a member of Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church, where he had served as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, chairman of the Official Board, chairman of the Administrative Board, church treasurer and church historian. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years. Mr. Killen belonged to Telephone Pioneers of America, Genealogical Society of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Sunset Lodge 623 F&AM. On May 12, 1946, he married Mary Etta Kinder, who died March 7, 2001. Surviving are a daughter, Janice L. (Frank) Baker of Washington; twin granddaughters Dr. Janna E. Baker of Washington, D.C., and Julia A. (Tom) Dickinson of East Hampton, Conn.; a brother, Jack Killen; and many nieces and nephews. Deceased are a son, Warren K. Killen Jr.; two brothers, Harry E. Killen Jr. and Bernard O. Killen; and two sisters, Edith Dorothy Killen Wilkinson and Nellie Ruth Killen Kiger. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 29. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. There will be no visitation on Thanksgiving Day. Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church, 160 Jefferson Avenue, Washington PA 15301.