William Gabal

William “Putt” Gabal Sr., 90, formerly of Ambridge, died Wednesday February 12, 2025. Born May 23, 1934, Ambridge. He was the son of the late John and Anna Guzan Gabal. He was retired from Armco Steel and later retired from Ambridge School District. He was a member of Holy Ghost Orthodox Church and was also a US Army veteran. Bill has the distinction of being Beaver County’s most successful professional golfer, even though he never spent full time on the sport. He remained active in the sport and in 1987 tied for second in the Golden State Senior Open at Lompoc, California. Amazingly, Bill was largely a self-taught golfer. As a caddy at the Ambridge Country Club in his youth, he studied the style of golfers, then practiced endlessly on his own at Ambridge Boro Park, until he mastered the fine points of the game. Bill’s first real taste of victory came in 1950, when he won the Ambridge Country Club Caddie title, and later that year he captured the Ambridge Jaycees Golf Tournament championship and his career was well underway. Those two key victories came while he was still a junior at Ambridge High School. The following year, he won the WPIAL golf title and placed fourth in the PIAA state tournament. Bill continued his amateur career in 1961, when he turned pro at age 27. In both 1963 and 1964 he competed in the US Open golf tournament, finishing in the money both times. He gained valuable experience playing against such greats as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. After being hampered by an injury for several years, Bill competed in the 1969 Canadian Open and won the United Steelworkers of America golf tournament. In his long career, Bill reached the qualifying round of the National Open 12 times, set seven course records and sunk three holes in one. Surviving is his wife Monica Pancaro Gabal, one son and daughter-in-law, William Jr. and Elaine Gabal, Butler, one daughter and son-in-law, Michele and Roman Semkiw, Cranberry, one grandson, Grant Scott (Danielle) Gabal, Butler, one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph and Sue Pancaro, Arizona. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Michael and Ralph Gabal. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His spirit will live on in all who knew him. BOHN-MATICH FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1099 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge, was in charge of arrangements.

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