William G. McCracken, Jr.

William G. McCracken, 71, Altoona, passed away Sunday at UPMC Altoona.

He was born in York, son of William G., Sr. and Rebecca (Mundis) McCracken. On August 11, 1998, he married Carol E. Albright in Altoona.

In addition to his wife, Carol, of 23 years, he is survived by his mother, Rebecca; son, William (Michelle) of Arnold, MD; daughter, Shaun of Richmond, VA; grandsons: William IV and Connor; sister, Sheryl (Frank) Leaman of Dallastown, PA; brothers: Tom (Jill) of Dallastown, PA and Dave (Cathy) of York; sister-in-law, Dianne (Steve) Neff of Altoona; brother-in-law, Fred (Donna) Albright of Hollidaysburg; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill graduated from Shippensburg University in 1972 with a B.A. in Education, majoring in English. He taught English, Drama, and Performing Arts at Roosevelt Junior High in Altoona for 31 years.

He was active in the Altoona Area Education Association, serving as a Building Representative, Union President for 6 years, State Delegate for PSEA from Altoona, and Representative for Altoona at Central Region Cluster meetings. He was also a co-founder of the Altoona Area Employees Federal Credit Union in 1981 and served as Chief Management Official until 2003.

Bill provided sound and lighting for the Blair County Civic Music Association, a civic group dedicated to bringing national and international musicians and performers to Altoona, featuring artists, such as Paul Winter, Maynard Ferguson, Beverly Sills, Marcel Marceau, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He most recently had been mixing sound for the Big Band, San Tones Orchestra, of Altoona.

Friends will be received from Noon until 3 pm on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Providence Presbyterian Church, 2401 Broad Avenue, Altoona, 16601 where a funeral service will be held at 3 pm with Rev. Dennis Braun officiating. MASKS ARE REQUIRED. Interment will be made at Mount Rose Cemetery, York, PA. Arrangements are by Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc.

The family requests no flowers, and rather a memorial contribution may be made to support cancer research or patient care programs at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Development Office, 5150 Centre Avenue, Suite 1B, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.