Obituary

William E. “Will” Hammer, Jr., 73, of Patterson Township, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, following a very brief battle with leukemia.

Born on November 29, 1951, he was the son of the late William Sr. and Corinne (Hopkins) Hammer.

A 1969 graduate of Beaver Falls High School, Will continually put great time and effort into organizing class reunions. “Once a tiger, always a tiger!” He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. In 1991, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Robert Morris University. Although Will had retired from marketing and advertising in the radio and TV industries, he most recently had been a dedicated member of the staff at WXED 107.3 FM radio in Ellwood City. He assisted with day-to-day operations and was preparing to host his own radio show where he could share his knowledge and love of music.  Will worked as a Patterson Township Commissioner with his focus on the Community Park Restoration Project, which was dear to his heart. For more than 25 years, Will was vital in the planning, organizing, and serving of the annual Christmas day dinner at Beaver Falls High School. He was a man of faith, and this is just one of the many ways he served the Lord during his lifetime.

You couldn’t let Will’s big presence fool you; he was just a big teddy bear.  He loved to make people laugh, especially with his movie quotes and sense of humor.  Will loved music, whether it was listening to his favorite playlists, playing the guitar, or singing karaoke with good friends. He loved traveling to the beach, especially to Cape May, New Jersey, for family vacations. Papa Will could be seen in the stands attending all of his granddaughter’s games, recitals, concerts, and more. He loved this more than anything else.

Will is survived by his wife, Cheryl (Long) Hammer; his daughter, Erika (Jim Pendergraph) Kopsack; his granddaughter, Elayna Kopsack; siblings, Corinne (Hank) Levine, Andrea (Neil) Clark, Victoria (Ron) Alberti; stepsiblings, Paula Crawford, Willa Miller, Tonda King, Jack Beyer; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and also Sally, the cat.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Emogene Hammer.

Friends will be received on Thursday, August 28^th from 1-3PM & 5-8PM in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., Chippewa Twp., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

Military honors will be accorded at the funeral home on Friday, August 29^th at 11AM followed by a blessing service.

Private interment will be in Beaver Falls Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Valley Beaver and UPMC Shadyside Hospital for the wonderful care provided. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Will’s name to Patterson Township Community Park Restoration Project, Patterson Township, ATTN: Christin, 1600 19th Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.