Penn Hills School District students, staff, community honor memory of beloved teacher

The Penn Hills High School gym looked more like a Penn State facility on Jan. 28 as members of the community packed the bleachers to honor a beloved teacher who died in a car crash more than a week before.

In honor of 49-year-old Josh Willy’s love for him alma mater, Penn State, students and staff hosted a Blue and Whiteout during the boys and girls basketball doubleheader against Shaler Area High School.

Willy taught AP World History and Honors Civics at Penn Hills for 23 years.

Before the start of each game, Prinicipal Bernard Taylor spoke about Willy and addressed the teacher’s family, who watched courtside.

High school senior Isabella Pivirotto spoke about Willy’s kindness and support for his students.

“He had open arms to everyone no matter who it was or where they were coming from. He would always put smiles on everyone’s faces,” she said.

Varsity cheerleaders sported white shirts with the letters JW written in blue for their half-time performances. Basketball players wore white arm bands with Willy’s initials.

Students set up a memorial table with a photo of Willy, a banner featuring a nod to his motto “good, better, best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best” and a book where people could write messages or memories of Willy.

Proceeds from the night’s 50-50 raffle were donated to the Willy family.

Willy, an Oakdale resident, died Jan. 17 when his car plunged about 85 feet from the Parkway East into a stream in the 1200 block of Commercial Street, a stretch of parkland that straddles Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park neighborhoods.