William A. Guiste

William A. (Bill) Guiste

Well-known Excavating Contractor, William A. (Bill) Guiste, 85, of Clintonville, passed away on Jan. 18, 2026.

He was born on April 20, 1940, to the late Agnes Rearick Guiste and John Guiste.

Bill attended and graduated from Victory Joint School in 1958. He was an active member of FFA.

In 1970, he started his own business, William A. Guiste Excavating, and operated it until his grandson took over the business in 2016, and then continued to run the business as an employee. Bill built many ponds over the years and proudly displayed some of them on a storage trailer he used with the business. He was very proud of the work he did and would only do the job if it was going to be done right. Through the years, his sons, several grandsons, a great-grandson, and his daughter all worked for him. He was still working full-time at the age of 80 when he had a heart issue on the job and a subsequent stroke, then he had to retire.

He was very proud of being a Charter Member of the PA Land Improvement Contractors of America in 1970. In 2011, he was awarded the Corky Miles Appreciation Award for his 41 years of service to PA LICA, serving as President, Vice President, Chairman of the Board, and on almost every committee several times, as well as all the other numerous services he did over the years that are too many to list.

Bill was a 72-year member of the Union Presbyterian Church in Clintonville. He served as a Trustee and on the Property Committee many times over the years. He volunteered his services many times to do jobs at the church. Bill had also been a member of the Clintonville Lions Club for several years and served as King Lion. He was also a member of the Parker Allegheny Canby Lodge 521.

Bill was married to Elizabeth Ann McFadden on July 30, 1999, and she predeceased him on Dec. 9, 2023.

Those left behind to treasure his memory are sons, Mike (Billie) and Keith Guiste, daughters, Anita (Joe Tassone) Matthews, and Angela (Earl) Moore. Step-daughters, Bobbi Jo McFadden and Lisa (Alan) Desko.

Adopted son Franklin Guiste and daughter Teresa Guiste Savage. Grandchildren, James (Courtney), David (Amber), and Sam (Tanesha) Guiste, Jared (Emily), Cody (Stephanie), Dakota, Jordan (Aryanna), and Emily Matthews, Christopher (Mandy) and Hillary (Caitlin) Moore, 16 great grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, 8 step great grandchildren. Brothers, Stanley (Carolyn), Terry (Paulette), and Malcolm (Sandy) Guiste. Sister-in-law Bonnie Hamilton and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was also predeceased by granddaughter Tiffany Matthews, brother John Guiste, and stepson Scott McFadden.

Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton Street, Clintonville. Viewing will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Union Presbyterian Church at 409 Emlenton St, Clintonville, at 11 a.m. with visitation for one hour prior at 10:00. Interment will be in the Methodist Cemetery, Clintonville.

In Bill's memory, memorials can be sent to the PA LICA Scholarship Account, 775 Mercer Road, Greenville, PA 16126, or Union Presbyterian Church, PO Box 236, Clintonville, PA 16372.

Friends can email condolences  to www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net