U.S. Army · United States 
Francis William Wilt
1980
Francis William Wilt Jr. served the U.S. Army for 4 years. Francis served in the Korean War and the Cold War.
How He Died
Manner
Natural
Cause
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
What Happened
Lieutenant Bill Wilt suffered a fatal heart attack while rescuing a family from a burning house at 5:45 AM. Lieutenant Wilt was en route to begin the 6:00 AM shift at the Western Penitentiary in the Woods Run section of Pittsburgh when he noticed a house on fire on the city's Northside at 400 Chautauqa Street.
Upon seeing the fire, he immediately exited his vehicle, activated a nearby fire alarm, and then entered the home. He awoke and evacuated the five family members from the home. As he carried the last child out of the home he collapsed on the front steps.
Lieutenant Wilt had served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for 19 years.
Upon seeing the fire, he immediately exited his vehicle, activated a nearby fire alarm, and then entered the home. He awoke and evacuated the five family members from the home. As he carried the last child out of the home he collapsed on the front steps.
Lieutenant Wilt had served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
Service Record
U.S. Army
1949 – 1952
Conflicts
Korean War
Cold War
Also Served
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
Lieutenant
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnq17jfne65kzd4zbay7
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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