Father William M. Avella, 96, passed away Dec. 6, 2010, peacefully in his home in Dayton. Father William was born April 14, 1914, in Solopaco, Italy to Michael and Maria Avella.
He graduated in 1950 from St Mary's University in Baltimore, Md. Father William was ordained to the Holy Priesthood for the Diocese of Reno, Nevada, on June 3, 1950, in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Patterson, N.J.
He served in many parishes of Northern Nevada and assisted priests in Southern Nevada.
Father William was preceded in death by his parents; brother Alfred Avella; sisters Angelina Manno, Mary Pia Milazzo, Josephine Avella and infant Josephine Avella.
He is survived by brother John Avella and his wife Peggy of Tom's River, N.J., and dear friend Mary E. Stadler.
There is a visitation, at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. at Walton's Chapel of the Valley in Carson City.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, the Most Reverend Bishop R. Calvo presiding. Graveside services will follow at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery in Reno.
Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of final arrangements.