John William “Bill” Bunardzya was born on September 21, 1950, and passed away on April 7, 2024. A 1968 graduate of Belle Vernon Area High School, he attended California State Teachers College, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in education, majoring in industrial arts, in 1973. Bill continued his education and received an associate degree in fire science technology from Westmoreland County Community College.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Bill held various business positions. In 1991, Bill began work as a self-employed contractor, blessing him with the opportunity to continue to respond to emergencies, work he continued until his passing. He was a volunteer firefighter with Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Company #2 from 1971 through 1975, when he joined the North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department. He held several offices at North Belle Vernon, including 12 years as the fire chief. In 2001, he attained Life Membership status.

In 2004, Bill joined the Rostraver Central Fire Department, where he was an active member and served as a safety officer and a trustee. He attained Life Membership status in January 2024. Bill was a member of the Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania and Fayette County Firemen’s Associations, as well as the Southwestern Chiefs Association. With the Westmoreland County Firemen’s Association, he served for 14 years as secretary, was elected president in 1995, and served as treasurer from 2000 until his death. He was also elected president of the Westmoreland County Fire Chiefs Association and was a member and past big chief of the Westmoreland County Mohawks Association, where he served as the scrib (secretary-treasurer) for 10 years.

Bill was married for 42 years to his wife, Janet. He had two daughters, Kyra (John) Barbiaux and Chryste (Nicholas) Zimmerman, and four grandchildren, Ben and Elizabeth Barbiaux and Westin and Lia Zimmerman.