William H. Trower
William H. Trower, long-time Hill District/Homewood businessman, died on January 31 at Family Hospice UPMC Canterbury. He was 91.
Mr. Trower was the President of Trower’s Cleaners, Inc. His father J. Edward Trower founded this dry-cleaning business in 1924. His mother Sara Emma Berry worked tirelessly at her husband’s side.
At one time the family-owned dry-cleaning enterprise operated four stores with locations in the Hill District, Homewood, and Homestead. After serving the community for 67 years, Trower’s Cleaners was sold in 1991.
Mr. Trower studied tailoring at Saint Paul’s Polytechnic Institute, Lawrenceville, VA (later St. Paul’s College). Following service in the US Army Cavalry and Infantry during WW II, he returned to Pittsburgh and spent his career in the dry-cleaning and tailoring business.
His devoted wife of 61 years Clara Belle Willoughby survives Mr. Trower. He is also survived by three sons Cecil H. (Claudia), Oklahoma City, W. Kevin, Esquire (Karla Hobson, Esq.) and Jay (Leslie), Pittsburgh; daughter-in-law Elisabeth (Els) Trower, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is survived by his sister Cecelia Epperson and was predeceased by sisters Willa Bailey and Sara Martin, and brother John Trower.
