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WILLIAM EBBS WRENSHALL IV
WILLIAM EBBS WRENSHALL IV
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WILLIAM WRENSHALL Obituary
WILLIAM EBBS IV
Died May 23, 2018, husband of Jane (Waldie); father of Mat, Eliza, Kate, and Sarah; father-in-law of James, Nick and Josh; grandfather of Abraham and William; son of Mary Ann; brother of Ann and Mary. The Wrenshall Family came to Pittsburgh in 1797 when John Mathew Wrenshall settled at the Point as a lay minister of the Methodist-Episcopal Church. The Wrenshall family homestead, Woodville, built in 1785 by General John Neville, was gifted to the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation in 1973. Bill grew up in Ingomar and went to North Allegheny High School before attending college at the University of Delaware. He was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and graduated with a bachelor's in political science. His first love was the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol, where he lifeguarded for five summers during and after college. He returned to Pittsburgh and joined his father Bill III in the insurance industry. He married Jane Waldie in 1977, after meeting her on a blind date. Children followed: Mat in 1980, Eliza in 1981, Kate in 1983, and Sarah in 1986. Bill was a loyal member of the Allegheny Country Club, and loved golfing. He was also a longtime member of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association and the Oxford Athletic Club. Bill loved his children ("the kids") and loved supporting them in their various activities, spending inordinate amounts of time at swimming meets, crew regattas, dance recitals, plays, baseball and softball games. Bill worked tirelessly for The Watson Institute, where he sat on the board for many years. He was a great supporter of the North Hills YMCA and served as president of the Western Pennsylvania Country Club Swimming Association. Bill was loved by all he met. He was a storyteller, a mixer of strong drinks, and a master of the art of making lasting friends. He will be sorely missed by all. Instead of sending flowers, please make a donation to the Watson Institute in Bill's name, at Development Office, Watson Institute, 301 Camp Meeting Road, Sewickley, PA 15143. There will be a viewing at SIMONS FUNERAL HOME, 7720 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, 15237 on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. There will be a Funeral Mass at Sts. John and Paul on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
DONN DICKERSON
May 21, 2020
To a great friend and business associate
February 4, 2019
Hello Jane,
I recently learned of Bill's death. I knew him through my association with the MDRT. Your husband was kind and also a "character"! I hope your tears have been replaced by fond memories. I do know he was very lucky to have you, a strong, independent woman, throughout his lifetime! I wish you well.
Respectfully,
Bill Gettings, Lafayette Indiana
June 28, 2018
Dear Jane, I was sorry to hear of Bill's death condolences to you, your kids, Mary and all the Wrenshalls. I did not know Bill but loved you as a swim coach. Mary and I knew each other @NA; and my mother and your mother-inlaw golfed at Franklin Park for years. Best wishes and prayers sent your way. ErinMaloney
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The GenAm Staff
June 22, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
June 8, 2018
Dear Jane. I was traveling afar during this difficult time but my prayers are with you dear old friend. My deepest sympathy. Bill Roerink.
June 5, 2018
My memories of Bill go all the way back to riding lessons at Northmont Farms in the early 70's. He was always smiling and had such a positive energy. And later, having Jane as my high school swimming coach, watching their relationship blossom was a joy. Two of the finest people I have ever known. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Wrenshall family.
June 4, 2018
Jane and Family, I went to Middle School and High School with Bill. We graduated together and this year is our 50th anniversary.
I moved away from Pennsylvania in 1968 and now live in Beaufort, SC.
I am deeply sorry to hear of Bill's passing.
Jeff Barksdale is very faithful at letting us know when one of our classmates have passed. There have been so many. I still consider us as young. Too young to go home yet.
May God console and comfort all of you.
Mary Jo(Williams)Lamie
Joe Bute
June 3, 2018
Bill was always the first to say hello at the Oxford Club. Always had a story or a kind word. One of the most positive people I have met. Loved his family and always talked about how proud he was of his children. A true loss.
Rick and Sue Weber
June 2, 2018
Jane and family,
Our sympathy to you on Bill's passing. May God and your many friends provide needed comfort.
May 31, 2018
Whoever wrote in Bill's obit that "Bill was loved by all he met" could not have been more accurate. I was Bill's fraternity brother in Theta Chi at the U of D, and even though I have not spoken with Bill in 45 years, my first feeling when I heard of his death was how much I loved him. I hope Bill's family takes comfort in knowing that their husband/father/friend engendered this kind of affection and respect.
My sincerest condolences to the family.
John Amalfitano, Wilmington, DE
May 31, 2018
So sad to hear of Bills passing. He was a true gentleman and a professional in every way. He was one of the leaders at General American and always a positive influence.
Mike Farrell
Kristina Puma
May 30, 2018
Deeply saddened to hear about Bill's passing. Although, we didn't know him well, he touched our lives each week at Oxford with his big smile and greetings. I (Kristina) already felt his loss last Sunday at the pool as he had his routine there. Chris saw him weekly at the 7:30am mass. Just seemed like such a nice man! Had the opportunity to attend the services at Sts. John and Paul this morning. What a beautiful send off ... he would be proud! Thinking of your family, Jane.
Faith Gillis
May 30, 2018
My deepest condolances to the Wrenshall family. I worked with Bill for many years in the Pittsburgh area. He was a wonderful person, always smiling and so proud of his family with great stories to share. He really will be missed .
May 30, 2018
Dear Jane and family, I worked with Bill and his dad many, many years ago at General American. We had a great office in Four Gateway Center. Bill always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss.
Lynne Lascano
May 30, 2018
I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine what you are going through.
George Shannon
May 30, 2018
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Jane, I remember all the good times our famalies would see each other at Martha's Vineyard. Bill was always pleasant and thoughtful. I will miss seeing him around. God bless your family at this difficult time. George Shannon
Louis
May 29, 2018
So hard to see one of our General American members pass. Our good memories of Bill will last forever. Accept my sincere condolence for a very fine man.
Lou Bigler
Park City, Utah
May 29, 2018
I am shocked and saddened to hear about Bills passing. I have attended several services for the football players I coached, I feel I have lost one of my own chidren at each service and Bill is one more. I am sending prayers for Jane, their children and grand-chldren. I remeber Billy as a gentleman,a scholar and a person who always went out of his way to say hello. A hard working defensive end on the N/A team and who was familliar with the term "loosen up Wrenshall"
With deepest sympathy and saddness to all the family'
Coach Kro
Dick and Pat Kotzer.
Norine Lucas
May 29, 2018
Jane dear, I'll always remember the cook outs on your patio when I would come to visit from Texas or North Carolina. You and Bill were always so attentive to me. Wish I could come and be there for Mary Ann, my sister, and you all, but my health will not allow such a trip. God Bless you and your family and many hugs. Love, Aunt Norine
Reed Schnittker
May 29, 2018
Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I have so, so many great memories of Bill from our days at General American. Loved seeing Bill and getting updates on all the family activities. Bill was so proud of his family.
Bill was a classic, he will be missed.
Reed & Cindy Schnittker
Keith Schwartz
May 29, 2018
My condolences to the Wrenshall Family.I knew Bill while he was in the YMCA-Indian Guide program.
Margaret Sarah Wrenshall
Peter Irvine
May 29, 2018
I am also a descendant of John Wrenshall, the one who founded Methodism in Western PA. I lived in the Pittsburgh area for almost 25 years. My best to family.
Reba Cella-Renk
May 28, 2018
I am saddened to learn of Bill's passing. He was one of the most kind
Marilyn Weyman Kegg
May 28, 2018
It was a shock to hear that Bill had died so young. He was a great guy with a wonderful, welcoming smile, and friendly attitude. Every time I saw or spoke to him, he made you feel that you were the one person he was waiting to see. He will be sorely missed by all of us in the North Allegheny Class of 1969. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends.
Janis and Sailesh Kapadia
May 27, 2018
Our condolences to Jane (Waldie) Wrenshall and family.
Janis and Sailesh Kapadia
Ken Grace
May 27, 2018
Oh my gosh Jane. So very sorry to hear about this. Loved being with you and Bill all those great years at General American. Bills Great big smile and engageing laugh was always welcoming to newcomers.
DONN DICKERSON
May 27, 2018
Bill will truly be missed by all of us from the (General American Family. Janet & I have had the honor of knowing Bill and his family as well as His Dad for over forty years. The memories of shared experiences will linger.
Donn & Janet Dickerson
Birmingham, MI
Victor juengel
May 27, 2018
A True Hall of Famer
Dick Tito
May 27, 2018
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Bill's passing. We spent many hours together on the links at Allegheny Country Club and at other courses around the country. He always had the right story at the right moment. He always would update us about his family that he loved so dearly, and where his travels would be taking him next in support of one his children. Our sympathies and condolences to the Wrenshall family in their time of loss. Bill was a good guy who is gone too soon. Godspeed, Bill.
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7720 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
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