Obituary of William R. Kustis

William R. “Bill” Kustis, surrounded by his loving family, passed peacefully into eternal life at the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton, PA, on May 4, 2025, where he had been a resident for the past 3 years. He was 99 years old. He was born Wincenty Kosciesz, the youngest of eight children of the late Bronislaw and Agnes Makarewicz Kosciesz (Barney and Agnes Kustis) in Wilkes-Barre on April 6, 1926. As a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle or friend, Bill truly embodied the values of the "Greatest Generation"- duty, courage, honor, service to family and country, and responsibility for oneself. As a devout Catholic, he placed his faith in God above all else. Together, his values and faith defined each chapter of his life. A lifelong member of Our Lady of Hope Parish (St. Mary's Maternity), he attended St. Mary's Polish school through 8th grade. When his father became disabled, Bill attended high school during the day and worked full-time evenings to help support the family, even though it meant foregoing extracurricular activities at school, including athletics and his favorite a capella choir. He was a 1944 graduate of Coughlin High School. Undaunted as a talented athlete, he spent weekends as a featherweight boxer and as a standout utility infielder in local baseball leagues. He was scouted and received an invitation to attend Interstate (minor) League baseball tryouts in Hagerstown, MD in 1945. That invitation and an Armed Services WWII draft notice arrived in the mailbox on the very same day. Bill was a WWII veteran, having proudly served with the Army Air Corps in the European Theater in Germany and Africa. He was a medic and ambulance driver, first at Lechfeld Air Base in Augsburg, Germany and later in Tripoli, Africa as part of the 365th Bombardment Squadron (B-17 Flying Fortresses) on their mission to photographically map Africa from Cairo to Gibraltar. Upon his father’s death, he was honorably discharged to return home and become head of the household while studying architectural drafting at Penn State on the GI bill. During the 1950s, he worked in operations at Federal Telephone & Radio in Paterson, NJ, designing and testing prototype equipment to supply the government Distance Early Warning (DEW) Line project in Alaska. He returned to Wilkes-Barre in 1958 to marry the love of his life, the former Jean Welebob, and they celebrated 25 years of marriage together until her death in 1984. Bill retired in 1987, with over 20 years of civil service at the VA Medical Center, where he also proudly served as the American Federation of Government Employees #1699 Union steward onsite, as well as local and regional boards. He spent his retirement years dedicated to his grandchildren Chris and Maria, involved in their daily activities as a constant and steadfast presence. During these “best years of his life”, he could be found walking the dike in Kirby Park, shuttling to the school bus or walking Poco around the neighborhood. He embraced his time at Gino J. Merli Veterans Center (his “final stop”), where he made many friends and spent the days in community and prayer. He will be remembered for his faith in God, generosity, patience, wit, wisdom and dedication to his family and friends. His love of nature, mathematics, history and trivia were an inspiration to many. He was a “Jeopardy” wiz and avid hat collector. Preceding him in death were brothers Leo Kostes, Henry Kostes, Joseph Kustis; sisters Loretta Gosciewski, Helen Smardzewski, Irene Kulnis Farrell and Anne Glod. He is survived by daughter Jean and son-in-law Vito Fioti, of Shavertown, with whom he resided for many years; grandson Christopher Fioti of Bethlehem (fiancée Hannah Horine) and granddaughter Maria Fioti of Shavertown. They were his greatest pride and joy. Also surviving their beloved “Uncle Billy” are several nieces and nephews who he loved like his own children, and his lifelong best friend, Joe Kelly and wife, Diane. The family would like to thank the staff at Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, especially 3S, and Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their exceptional, professional and compassionate care. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am Monday, May 12, 2025, at Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre everyone is asked to go directly to church. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. Sunday May 11, 2025, at Nat Gawlas Jordan Funeral Home, 89 Park Ave. Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be at St Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Twp. Memorial donations, if desired, can be made online at https://www.pa.gov/dmva/donate/ or with a check/money order payable to: GMVC Residents’ Welfare Fund mailed to: Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center 401 Penn Ave. Scranton, PA 18503 Online condolences can be made by visiting William’s obituary at www.ngjfuneral.com