RUSH WILLIAM THOMAS Of Lynchburg, VA, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away on the morning of October 9, 2014, at the age of 94. Born in Wall, PA, on Nov. 13, 1919, he was preceded in death by his parents, George A. Rush and Margaret Feeney Rush; and a sister, Sr. Mary P. Rush. He is survived by one sister, Rita C. Cummins; as well as his six children (with the late Rosalie Rhea Rush), Susan Rush, Michael Rush and his wife, Lisa, Patti Silvers and her husband, David, Betty Jeanne Beje Garrett, Melissa Lane and her husband, Chris, and Bill Rush and his wife, Robin; he had 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren (with one on the way), and quite a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. He began working in the mail room for Westinghouse Air Brake in Wilmerding, PA in 1939, after attending Duquesne University, but quickly moved to a position in the advertising department in Pittsburgh. When WWII broke out, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps serving Dec. 10, 1941 through Jan. 14, 1944. He was then honorably discharged so that he could accept a commission as an officer. His commission began Jan. 15, 1944, and his military service ended honorably on January 1, 1946, ranked as a second lieutenant and having served as a navigator. He returned to Westinghouse, where he remained employed for his entire professional career. Earning frequent promotions over the next 40 plus years, he held both local and regional management positions in the advertising, sales, and marketing departments in Boston, New York, and the Pittsburgh area. In 1964, he was moved to the corporate headquarters at Gateway Center in Pittsburgh, where he was made manager for Industry Marketing Communications. Shortly afterwards, in 1966, he was promoted to director of sales planning in the marketing service department. In the mid 1970s, he left headquarters briefly when he was made president of Westinghouse Security Systems, but he returned to Gateway Center in 1978, when he was made director of corporate advertising. In 1979, he was a recipient of the highest award given by his company, the Westinghouse Order of Merit: For the exceptional skills he has brought to many areas of the Corporation in marketing, planning, advertising, and promotion; for his imagination, perception, and judgment in directing the successful re-entry of Westinghouse into corporate advertising; for his willingness to accept assignments beyond the scope of his responsibility and fulfill them cheerfully and expertly; and for his total commitment to loving and serving Westinghouse, from mail boy through each position of increasing responsibility in management. In 1980, he was promoted to executive director, Corporate Communications. Upon his retirement, he was honored further when Westinghouse Electric Corp. created an endowed scholarship program at Duquesne University named the William T. Rush Award for Excellence in Communications. The scholarship was funded to benefit senior journalism, public relations, advertising, or broadcasting majors and is to this day awarded based on merit and potential. After retirement, he was an avid supporter of area programs promoting 'the arts' and enjoyed volunteer work at Passavant Hospital as well as area Meals on Wheels programs. Arrangements will be handled by THARP FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY in Bedford, VA (540-586-3443). There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Bedford, VA at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2014, with Father Salvadore Añonuevo officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the Mass, and other times at the home of Patti and Dave Silvers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William T. Rush Scholarship Fund (contact the Duquesne University Development Office, Fourth Floor Administration Building, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, (412) 396-5690) or to the National D-Day Memorial Foundation, P. O. Box 77, Bedford, VA 24523. Interment will be in Forest Hills Memory Gardens, Abingdon, VA at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2014, with military honors given by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and Virginia National Guard. To send condolences, please visit: www.tharpfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 540-586-3443. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb