William T. Jorden

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of William (Bill) T. Jorden on September 1, 2026. Bill was born on November 18, 1944 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Dr. William E. and Shirley Jorden. Through his journey of 81 years, Bill touched many lives with his love, humor, and seemingly boundless energy.

After graduating from Bellevue High School in 1962, Bill earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 from the University of Pennsylvania where he was a four-year letterman with the Penn Quakers Football Team. He then attended Duquesne University Law School earning his Juris Doctorate in 1969. Early in his career, Bill moved his family to Fairview, Pennsylvania, where he practiced law in Erie County, becoming a partner in the law firm of McClure, Dart, Miller, Kelleher and White. In 1981, he moved his family to Meadville and opened his own firm of Jorden and White.

Never seeming to allow boredom to be part of his life, Bill had endless passions, too numerous to list here. Conneaut Lake inspired his love for everything involving the water. As a teenager, he compelled his parents to transport him and his sister to any water ski competition they could find. Fancying himself the next Jaques Cousteau, he became a certified SCUBA diving instructor and dove in locations as far away as the Red Sea. He loved martial arts studying Goshinjutsu, Kun Tao, and Tai Chi at various points of his life. Additionally, he loved animals and nature. Fascinated with large dog breeds, he decided to briefly breed Newfoundlands. Later in life, Bill began small-scale bee farming and winemaking. He also enjoyed dirt bike adventures with his family and friends.

The refrain heard from Bill throughout his life was that his greatest joy was being a father. Not only did he share his passions with his children, he was wholly involved in all of his children’s activities. He coached soccer, baseball, water skiing, track and field, wrestling, hockey, and served as a Boy Scout leader. He raked long jump pits, watched countless hours of wrestling film, drove a ski boat in the 5:30 am fog on Conneaut lake, led scouts on adventures in the worst weather, and froze on the ice at the Meadville Rec Complex. He loved every second of it.

Among other groups Bill was a member of the Iroquois Boating Club, past member of Meadville Country Club, Kahkwa Club, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Masons, Shriners, Crawford County Bar Association, and Erie County Bar Association

Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jill Bailey Jorden; Daughter Heather Bunyard (Britt); Son Stoney Jorden (Kirstin); Daughter Melissa Jorden (Patrick Recio); and son Matthew Jorden (Aurelia); nine grandchildren, Rachel Bunyard, Bailey Bunyard, Marty Bunyard, Ashlyn Jorden, Kylie Jorden, Chase Recio, Penn Recio, Everest Jorden, Ember Jorden; his sister Maggie Bazylak (Paul); sister-in-law Sara Babcock (Sandy), brother-in-law Jack Bailey (Christine), sister-in-law Robin Bailey (Ted Weber); his nieces Megan Sullivan, Katie Cress, Lori Babcock, Holly Babcock, Sara McCall, Leslie Bailey; his nephews Ben Babcock, Tate Weber, Bob Weber, and John Bailey; along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss him.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville, 346 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA 16335. Prior to the service, the family will receive visitors at the church from 1 p.m. until the service hour.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the French Creek Valley Conservancy, 411 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA 16335, or to any other charitable organization of the donors choice.

Please sign Bill’s online guestbook at www.hatheway-tedesco.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home and Crematory, 614 Baldwin St., Meadville, PA 16335.