William W. Venable III

William W. Venable III

"Bumpa"

AGE: 87 • Wilmington

William W. Venable III, "Bumpa," age 87, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully at home on October 3, 2015.

Bill was born on December 17, 1927 in Camden, New Jersey to Margaret and William Venable, Jr. and grew up in Collingswood, Oak Lyn and Haddonfield, NJ. At the age of five, Bill joined the adult choir at church and sang in the church choir for many years. Bill always appreciated everything that had to do with music and sang in various groups throughout his life, including in a barbershop quartet for 19 years.

He was very active in many clubs and projects throughout high school, including the school paper, for which he served as sports editor. He also wrote freelance pieces for The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Courier-Post in Camden, NJ. Bill sang in an octet, quartet, a choir and the glee club in high school, as well as sang for three years in the New Jersey State Chorus. He became an Eagle Scout in 1943 at the age of 16, and was an active member of the Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts. He graduated from Collingswood High School in 1945.

Bill joined the Navy in 1945 and trained as a corpsman at San Diego Hospital in California. He then went to Corona Naval Hospital, where he was stationed for the rest of his two-year enlistment. During his time in the Navy, Bill worked with paraplegics and quadriplegics. He finished up his days at the hospital working as a pharmacist. Being in the Navy never stopped Bill from singing, however; while serving, he also sang in a Navy barbershop quartet, as well as with the internationally-known Blue Jackets Choir.

When Bill returned home, he became involved with the Haddonfield Choral Society for Operettas and performed in many shows in southern New Jersey. Every Sunday, he also sang duets at different area churches with female partners.

In 1948, he attended the Charles Morris Price School of Journalism and Advertising in Philadelphia, PA and graduated two years later. After graduation, Bill accepted a position at DuPont in Wilmington. He worked for the company in its advertising department for 40 years.

Two years later, Bill was set up on a blind date by friends in Pennsylvania, where he met his loving wife of 58 years, Betty Jane Venable. They married in 1952.

Throughout his life, Bill volunteered for United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware, Inc. and served on its Board of Directors. He also volunteered at the organization's Camp Manito in Wilmington for many years.

Bill and Betty gave birth to their only daughter, Judith Ann, in 1959 in Wilmington. They were both charter members of Trinity Presbyterian Church, and Bill later served as an elder at the church.

He retired from DuPont in 1985, and then spent 17 years traveling as a tour escort for two independent travel companies. As an escort, Bill led groups on extensive trips in the U.S. and abroad. He and Betty went on many cruises together.

Bill thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family, including his two granddaughters. Both music and travel were his true passions, and it was singing, performing and taking trips that he enjoyed most in life.

Bill is predeceased by his daughter, Judith Venable Crowe, and his wife, Betty Jane Venable, both of Wilmington. He is survived by his sister- and brother-in-law, Joanne and Maurice Worley, of Wyncote, PA and their son and daughter; his son-in-law, G. Donald Crowe, of Richmond, VA.; his granddaughter, Jillian Crowe Katz and husband Russell Katz, of Raleigh, NC and granddaughter Kaitlin H. Crowe, of Baltimore, MD.

Memorial services will be held Friday, October 16th at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held privately by his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the memorial fund at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1120 Darley Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.

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