William Cullens

William Thomas Cullens

September 19, 1920-June 1, 2019

Home Going Memorial Celebration

William Thomas Cullens, 98, transitioned peacefully from this life on June 1, 2019.

William, AKA “Bill” and AKA “Tom” is survived by his wife Martha, daughters Sharon (Jeff) Campbell, Marilyn (Gordon) Benham, Sarah Cullens, son Seth Cullens, stepson Garth Ellis, sisters Ernestine Moore, Alna  Spencer, brothers Emmett (Louise) Cullen, Walter Cullens, Jeff (Maxine) Cullens.  Grand children, Maria (Brian) Fraiser Sr., Donald Thomas Jr., Tamara Flannigan, Gary Flannigan, Nikia Mosley, Hunter Campbell, Spencer Campbell, Katrina Cullens, Jayden Cullens and Sky Ellis, step-daughter Valetta Cullen, step-grandchildren Michelle Cullen and Maurice Cullen, great-grand children Joel Thomas, Kyleigh Gibson, Kirstie Gibson, Brian Frasier Jr., Peyton Thomas-Frasier, Tre Flannigan, Nya Flannigan, Miles Flannigan, and Bailey Bell, great-great-granchildren, nieces, nephews cousins and extended family.

William was preceded in death by his mother, Ceola Humphries Cullens, father Byron Cullens, daughters Mary Esther Cullen-Tillman Newman (John), Anita Flannigan, grandson Anthony Thomas, sister Ann Terry, brothers Homer Cullens, Hayward Cullens, Marvin Cullens, Johnny Milton Cullens and Sam Cullens.

William was born in Lumpkin, Georgia. He loved the outdoors and working with his hands. He was autodidactic, and while he had no formal education beyond elementary school he became skilled in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC and masonry. He was always very proud of having taught himself to read and write.  William was a prolific storyteller. In his later years he enjoyed recounting his experiences growing up in Lumpkin during the post depression era.  William was a rebel. He defied social norms of the times that relegated minority men with limited education to mainly subservient employment. He would have none of that; instead he proudly raised his families through self-employment, hard work and sheer determination. William spent very little time working formal jobs and chose instead to negotiate his own work on his own terms. William was a lifelong Mason. He was always very proud to be a member of the Malita Lodge #117 and carried that with him throughout his life. William was a proud man who worked his entire life to provide for his family. He will be fiercly and deeply missed.

A special thanks to the Kane Memorial Nursing Home Staff and to the Metropolitan Baptist Church for their loving care and support.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Metropolitan Baptist Church 22 Sampsonia St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 starting at 10:30am.

A lunch will be served following the Memorial Service in the Fellowship Hall in the lower level of the church. 

Bill's Arrangements have been entrusted to English Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc.; 378 Maryland Ave. Oakmont PA 15139.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Cullens, please visit our floral store.