Driver dies after Lernerville crash
A Gilpin man who had racing in his blood was being remembered as a kind and loving son, brother and uncle by his family Friday.
William Henry, 51, died at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh in the early-morning hours Friday after he was hurt in a single-car crash at Lernerville Speedway in Buffalo Township on Thursday night.
“He hit the wall and the car flipped four to five times,” said his sister, Terrie Moore, of Gilpin, who was at the track.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said Henry died at AGH at 2:42 a.m. His death was caused by blunt-force trauma to the neck and trunk.
It was ruled an accident.
According to Lernerville's operator, World Racing Group in Charlotte, N.C., Henry was competing on the opening night of the three-night Steel City Stampede. He crashed during the second heat of the senior sportsman stock car race.
World Racing spokesman Chris Dolack said the heat was a qualifying event. The stampede is the last race under World Racing Group; Ted Tomson, of Tomson Scrap Metal, bought the track in May and assumes control after this weekend.
“The accident just involved him and his car,” Dolack said. “The car has been secured. We are looking at it to see what did happen.”
Pastor Bill Beck spoke at the driver's meeting before Friday night's races began, and tried to explain why people were back racing at the track.
“His sister said that he just loved racing and they are all right with that, because they know the heart of the one they lost,” Beck said.
Moore said her brother had raced at the Jennerstown and Motordrome speedways between 1995 and 2009. It was just within the past year that he had started racing again in the senior series at Lernerville.
Moore said her brother was continuing a racing legacy started by their father and uncles.
Asked why he started racing again, Moore said: “It was in his blood.”
Henry, who worked as a tube bender at Hetrick Manufacturing in Lower Burrell, was also a billiards player. He belonged to leagues at the Hyde Park Tavern and White Star club in Buffalo Township.
“He knew what he was doing playing pool,” Moore said. “He got some trophies.”
Henry cared for his mother, Shirley Fouse, with whom he lived. Although he wasn't married and had no children, he was like a father to 10 nieces and nephews, some of whom gathered at Fouse's home Friday night in the wake of the family tragedy.
“Bill was probably the most selfless person on this earth,” said his sister, Laurie Toy, of Kittanning. “He never thought about himself. ... Whether it was somebody he loved or whether it was just an acquaintance, he would give the shirt off his back to keep that person warm and safe.”
Nephew Tim Berry of Kittanning said Henry was there to help him get through chemotherapy after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and 2007. They would shoot pool and hang out together.
“He's the reason I'm here. He was there for me in every aspect,” Berry said. “He helped me through the hardest time in my life and made me the way I am today.”
Janette L. Gamble Funeral Home, Parks Township, is handling arrangements.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4701 or brittmeyer@tribweb.com. Freelance writer Thomas Zuck contributed to this report.
