William Howard could joke and jive with the best of them during a friendly game of poker but was equally adept at bringing a no-nonsense approach to the corporate environment.

Mr. Howard, a retired Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action compliance officer for Union National Bank, also was known for devoting his time and talent to civic affairs as diverse as the NAACP, Boy Scouts and YMCA.

He was a no-nonsense fellow who was well-versed in corporate personnel policies and able to stay on top of things, civil rights leader Harvey Adams said.

"He didn't want any foolishness from either side. If policy was not equally enforced, he would see justice was served," said Mr. Adams, onetime president of the Pittsburgh branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Mr. Howard died of emphysema Thursday in his East Liberty home. He was 80.

He spent 17 years at the Downtown branch of Union National before retiring in 1991. Before that, he worked from 1969 to 1974 as employee relations manager of the now defunct Thorofare Markets.

A graduate of Schenley High School, he studied business management at Robert Morris College, now Robert Morris University, labor management relations at the University of Pittsburgh and Community College of Allegheny County, and business law at Duquesne University. He also studied sculpture at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

He was stationed in the Philippines while serving in the Army from 1944 to 1946.

Mr. Adams remembered his friend of 20 years as a quiet man who helped a lot of people but never bragged about it.

The two were among a group of five or six who regularly played poker, which Mr. Adams recalled as a "chance to vent and call each other names.

The Rev. Kenneth E. Johnson of Carrone Baptist Church in Homewood called his parishioner and deacon a gentleman and no-nonsense person who was articulate, with a boyish sense of humor. He was universally respected by those who knew him, Mr. Johnson said.

Mr. Howard was a meticulous dresser and excellent singer whose baritone voice never lost its robustness even after he became ill, Mr. Johnson said. Whenever he prayed, he spoke out of experience, which added a lot of depth to whatever he said, Mr. Johnson recalled.

Not only was Mr. Howard known for his expertise in corporate personnel matters, he also was skilled in carpentry. He built a closet and steps at the church and numerous pieces of furniture for family and friends.

Agnes Howard described her husband as a civic-minded man who loved people and enjoyed helping them.

Mr. Howard served as chairman of the board of directors for the Centre Avenue YMCA, and on its metropolitan board as well; chairman of the personnel committee of the NAACP and on its executive board; a board member of the Black Child Development Institute; and chairman of the Three Rivers District of the Allegheny Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America.

He received the Pittsburgh Urban League Guild Man of the Year Award, the Boy Scouts of America Whitney M. Young Junior Service Award, the Federal Executive Board Businessman of the Year Award, the YMCA Volunteer Service Award and the Pittsburgh-McKeesport OIC Business Industrial Award.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Robert Edward Daniels of Orinda, Calif.; a brother, Percy Floyd Howard of the North Side; a sister, Marian Downer of the Hill District; and one grandson.

Friends may visit from noon to 9 p.m. today at Carrone Baptist Church, 7119 Frankstown Ave., Homewood. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the church.