William's obituary
William graduated from LaSalle College High School in Wyndmoor, PA in 1988 and over the course of his life he worked in various areas of farming and construction that included building, carpentry, roofing and landscaping. Ever since he was a little boy, William had always dreamed of building his own house in the mountains. The skills he had acquired enabled him to make his dream a reality and in 2017 he completed the construction of a house in Kunkletown, PA with beautiful views of Blue Mountain in the Poconos. William loved to hunt and fish and was a member of the Wissahickon Crick Anglers. William's door was always open, on Ritchie Street in Manayunk and in Kunkletown. The cast of characters coming through and the banter that followed would give any TV sitcom a run for their money.
William's antics were legendary and those who knew him have their own stories to tell. He said what he meant and meant what he said. Although known as "Bad Billy" to many, there was another side to him. William had compassion. Those that had nowhere to go, to stay, to sleep or to eat have reached out to say how grateful they were that he took them in when no one else would. Some he helped to detox, going as far as tying them to a tree or locking them in a trailer in the woods. And when they cried out, his response was "You're not dying, it just feels like you are. You're gonna get thru it." And they did.
In addition to his parents, William was predeceased by his sister, Maryann. He is survived by sisters Lori, Miriam, Kelly and brothers Alfred and James. He leaves behind daughters Gabrielle, Ashley, Kaitlyn, Makayla and Emme as well as three grandsons and four granddaughters. There are several nieces, nephews and extended family members that will miss him dearly.
Services are being held for William on Monday, June 13, 2022 at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 119 Rector St., Philadelphia, PA 19127. Visitation will be at 9:30AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to offset funeral costs and allow his daughter's to lay their father to rest.