William Vincent Mackaravitz, Jr., known to family and friends as Bill, passed away on April 15, 2026, surrounded by his family at his residence in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at the age of 75.

Born on July 10, 1950, in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late William V. Mackaravitz, Sr. ("Chew") and Kathleen E. (McCarty) Mackaravitz. Bill was raised with strong family values that remained with him throughout his life, and he carried a quiet strength, steady character, and loyal spirit that touched all who knew him. He was a graduate of Liberty High School and went on to build a life marked by hard work, devotion to family, and service to others.

Bill served in the United States Army, an experience that reflected his sense of duty and commitment to his country. Following his military service, he devoted 30 years of his working life to Bethlehem Steel, where he worked as a steelworker until his retirement in 1995. He was proud of the work he did and the role he played in the industrial heritage of the Lehigh Valley. Those who worked alongside him remember his reliability, his work ethic, and the pride he took in doing a job well.

Faith was an important part of Bill's life, he was a former member of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church and a current member of Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont. He found purpose and fellowship in his church community and valued the relationships and traditions that came with being part of it.

His life was also enriched by his many interests and the joy he found in the simple pleasures of everyday living. He was especially proud to serve as Scout Master of Troop 304, a role that allowed him to guide and encourage young people with patience, responsibility, and care. Bill loved the outdoors and spent many happy hours fishing, hunting, and camping. He appreciated the peace and beauty of nature and found satisfaction in time spent outside. He also enjoyed music, especially Pink Floyd, and had a interest in Dungeons and Dragons.

SURVIVORS: Bill is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Donna Mae (Fackenthall) Mackaravitz, whose companionship and devotion were central to his life. He is also survived by his children, Todd Mackaravitz of Bethlehem, Jeffrey Mackaravitz and his wife Melissa of Emmaus, and Beth Heisler and her wife Jennifer of Langhorne. Bill was a proud grandfather to Kaitlin, Sam, Olivia, Stella, Lucy, and Nora, and he cherished each of them deeply. His family was the heart of his life, and he took great pride in their accomplishments, their happiness, and the bonds they shared. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings: Scott W. Mackaravitz, Joseph D. Mackaravitz, and Reba A. Pike.

SERVICES: A Memorial Service will be held at 7 P.M. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, where family will receive relatives and friends from 6 P.M. until the time of the service. Bill's services have been entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill's name to Lehigh Valley Hospice via mail to Lehigh Valley Health Network, Attn: Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 1883, Allentown, PA 18105.