WILLIAM BUFFINGTON

William Buffington

William Buffington, 78 of Chadds Ford, Kennett Township, died on Monday, September 17, 2007 at Temple University Hospital of complications relating to cancer.

Bill was the husband of Mary Reilly Buffington, his wife of 56 years. Truly a "local person" he was born "at home" in Rosedale, the son of the late Thomas and Catherine Talley Buffington. At age 16, he was stricken with polio. Bill was educated in the Kennett Consolidated School District. His 4 years in the Navy during the Korean War was the only time he lived away from the area, although Bill and Mary traveled throughout the United States, as well as visiting China, Russia, Italy, the British Isles, and a 10 week agricultural exchange program in Pakistan. Upon his discharge from the military, Bill started his own business, which he described as custom farming and fencing. At that same time (1954) he became involved with the Christmas Basket Project in the Kennett Area which served 14 families. By 1966 Bill was the head of the project, which had become known as Kennett Area Community Service (KACS), managed from the Buffingtons' home. Under Bill's direction, KACS expanded the services to include more emergency assistance and he established the Kennett Area Food Cupboard. The Christmas Basket Program grew through contacts Bill made with local schools and churches, service and professional organizations, private donations and lots of volunteers and now it reaches over 300 families with food, toys, bikes and winter wear.

A 60-year member of Kennett Grange No. 19, Bill's a past president of the local chapter and of the County Grange and a past officer of the PA State Grange. He's past president of Kennett Rotary Club and was very active in the establishment by the club of Kennett Area Senior Center. He worked for years to help the center grow and move to its present site. Bill was a dues-paying member of Longwood Fire Company. Bill has been a member of the Kennett Township Zoning Board for many years. He received various recognitions for his community efforts over the years, including Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of 1985. He was a very active member of St. Patrick Church of Kennett Square, serving as head of the Parish Council and overseer of the Parish Cemetery at the time of his death. He served in other capacities over the years including Extraordinary Minister. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by 4 children, Lois B. Steele and husband Jim, Kathleen B. Shappell and husband Bob, Virginia AlSharmani and fiance Ken Ramirez, Phillip R. Buffington and fiance Laurie Gillam. He is survived by 5 grandchildren Michael Steele and his companion Connie Reinert, Amy Vandercapellen and husband Albert, Brian Shappell and wife Deirdre, Andrew and David Buffington and their mother Alicia Buffington. Also surviving is his sister Nancy B. Pitt. Bill also had 5 great grandchildren. A daughter Mary Susan preceded him in death.

Visitation will take place Friday evening Sept. 21 from 6-9 pm, and Saturday, Sept. 22 from 8:15-9:15 am at KUZO & GRIECO FUNERAL HOME (610-444-4116), 250 W. State St., Kennett Square. Mass of Christian Burial takes place Saturday, Sept. 22 at 10 am at St. Patrick Church, 212 Meredith St., Kennett Square. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of KACS, at P.O. Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348 or St. Patrick Church Building Fund, mailed to 210 Lafayette St., Kennett Square, PA 19348.