Msgr. William C. Yontz

Monsignor William C. Yontz, 82, of Byesville, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church and a member of the presbyterate of the Diocese of Steubenville, died Wednesday evening (December 6, 2006) at Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, Cambridge. Msgr. Yontz was born February 19, 1924 in Byesville, son of the late George W. Yontz and Amelia Catherine (Hohmann) Yontz. He was a 1942 graduate of Byesville High School. He attended St. Charles Seminary in Columbus and Mount St. Mary Seminary in Norwood. Bishop John King Mussio ordained him a priest for service in the Diocese of Steubenville on May 1, 1950 at St. Joseph Church in Bridgeport. Msgr. Yontz's first assignment as a priest was Assistant (pro tem) at Holy Name Cathedral from May to September 1950. He served as instructor at St. John Vianney Seminary in Bloomingdale from September 1950 until May 1954; he was also diocesan director of music. In June of 1954 he returned as Assistant at Holy Name Cathedral where he served until 1956. He served as a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission for ten years, from 1955 to 1965, and again from 1977 to 1980. He was appointed part-time instructor at Catholic Central High School in Steubenville from 1956 to 1959 and as Assistant at St. Peter, Steubenville in charge of St. Paul Mission in Pottery Addition for three months in 1956. From April 1958 to August 1959 he served as Vic. Oec. at Blessed Sacrament in Wintersville and from August 1959 to August 1964 as Vic. Oec. at St. Paul, Flushing. He was appointed Pastor at Flushing February 1964 until August 1964 when he was transferred to Holy Trinity, Byesville, where he has served as Pastor for the past 42 years. Msgr. Yontz served as Dean of Visitation Deanery from January 1, 1980 to 1989, and again from 1995 to 2001. He was appointed Prelate of Honor to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor on December 30, 1986. He was a member of the Pactum Marianum. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Yontz and James Yontz. He leaves a brother, Msgr. George Yontz of Steubenville. The body will be waked at Holy Trinity Church in Byesville from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday (December 10th). A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated on Monday (December 11th) at 12:00 Noon at Holy Trinity Church, with the church opening at 9 a.m. Monday morning for additional visitation. The Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon will serve as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cambridge. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 222 S 5th Street, Byesville OH 43723. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Black-Epperson Funeral Home, Byesville. Condolences may be sent to the family via [email protected]