Obituary – William P. Daugherty

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William P. Daugherty, 60, of 404 Cowell Ave., Oil City, an Oil City businessman, died Wednesday, May 2, 2007, following an extended illness.

Born Nov. 7, 1946, in Oil City, he was the son of J. Ardelle Wilbert and the late James E.E. Daugherty.

Mr. Daugherty was reared in Cranberry and was a 1964 graduate of Cranberry High School. He attended Clarion University and was employed by Daugherty Brothers Real Estate from 1964-1967. He then enlisted in the United States Army March 29, 1967, and completed infantry training at Fort Polk, La., and was stationed at Fort Wolters, Texas, as a sergeant with the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter Center. Injuries sustained in training forced him to withdraw from helicopter flight training and warrant officer training school.

He was then assigned to Adjutant General Branch of the Army where he was honored for his dedication with four promotions in 17 months to Sgt. E-5 . He also received the Good Conduct Medal and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Expert Badge for firing the M-16 rifle and the Sharpshooter Badge for his work with the M-14 rifle.

He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Of all his accomplishments, Mr. Daugherty was most proud of his tenure in the Army and his children. After his 1969 discharge, he returned to Oil City to begin a long association with Daugherty Brothers, of which he would become co-owner.

Mr. Daugherty was an active certified general appraiser. He devoted an extraordinary amount of time to research and was instrumental in discovering the home improvement scam in Oil City that placed many Venango County residents in danger of losing their homes. In cooperation with Patrick Hernan, a freelance reporter, he helped prevent or reverse a large number of foreclosures.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he had served as chairman of the Board of Trustees and oversaw a program of major repairs and updates to the church. He also led the fundraising effort behind the renovations.

Mr. Daugherty served as past president (1990) of the Oil City Rotary and was chairman of Rotary’s annual “Coats for Kids” project which provided nearly 1,000 coats for young children. During Mr. Daugherty’s tenure as president of the Rotary, membership increased by about 50 percent, to 63 members. The average weekly meeting attendance for that year exceeded 90 percent, setting a record for the district. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honor for Rotarians. Over a 22-year affiliation with Rotary, Mr. Daugherty missed just two meetings.

He also served as president of the Allegheny Valley Board of Realtors and the Oil City Chamber of Commerce (1990) and also served on the board. In addition, he served on the board of directors of the YMCA, Brandon Cemetery and the Venango County Visiting Nurses Association, where he helped secure the donation of the former National Fuel Gas headquarters on Seneca Street, Oil City, for the agency’s use. He also served as chairman of the Venango County Advisory Board to the Venango Campus of Clarion University of Pennsylvania and was a member of the CDC and the Parking Authority.

During his time with the chamber, the body was able to purchase the Center Street Building which served as headquarters and allowed the agency to generate rental income. The chamber recognized and honored him with the Golden Deeds Award.

Mr. Daugherty enjoyed traveling in Europe and spent numerous summers in South Carolina with his family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was dedicated to his career and was well-known for his expertise in real estate appraisal.

He was married March 20, 1976, to Patricia Ann Daugherty, who survives.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by three children, Jenny D. and Andrew Mumford and their two children, Olivia Ann and Jack Andrew of Oil City; and two sons, Todd James of Oil City and Michael David of Boynton Beach, Fla.

Also surviving are three brothers, James Daugherty and his wife, Kay, Thomas Daugherty and his wife, Kathy, and Scott Daugherty, all of Oil City, and four nieces, Kelly, Ashley, Alyssa and Hollie.

Mr. Daugherty was preceded in death by his father in 1967; his paternal grandparents, James P. and Mildred C. Daugherty; and his maternal grandparents, Lee N. and Julia M. Wilbert.

There will be no visitation. A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Oil City or to any veteran-related charity.

The Reinsel Funeral Home, Oil City, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com.