WILLIAM "BILL" SCHILLING

SCHILLING WILLIAM "BILL" lately of Springfield, PA, died at home on December 9, 2021 following a brief and sudden struggle with cancer. He was 76. Bill departed this world surrounded by the loving presence of his family and dear friends, secure in his faith and certain of the everlasting life awaiting him through the sacrifice of his Lord and Saviour. Bill was born in Drexel Hill, PA, the third son of Arthur and Margaret Elizabeth (Moore) Schilling. He graduated from Upper Darby High School ('62) and attended the University of Pennsylvania (C'66) as a Federal Work Study recipient, working part-time in the University's laundry room and financial aid office while he earned his bachelor's degree. Until his retirement in 2012—and, indeed, for several years thereafter—Bill never left Penn, having taken a job as a financial aid officer following his graduation from the University's Law School (L'69); he would rise to the role of Director of Student Financial Aid in 1980 and remain in that position for over 32 years. During his tenure at Penn, Bill committed himself to making an Ivy League education possible for students of all backgrounds and means. He oversaw the manifold expansion of the University's undergraduate financial aid program and pioneered a no-loan aid policy, ensuring that students in need receive only grants, not loans, in support of their education. He supplemented this work for educational equity in his volunteering with the College Board and the Mendenhall-Tyson Scholarship Foundation. Beyond his working life, Bill was blessed with a beautiful bass voice and sang for years in his church choir and with the Wayne Oratorio Society. In 1976, Bill met and fell in love with Patricia Charlesworth (née Connelly), a nurse, while she cared for his father in a time of illness. Bill and Pat were married in March 1978, in the living room of the house where he grew up and where they would go on to raise their children. In 2018, with his children raising families of their own, Bill formally adopted his eldest three children, the daughters and son of Pat's previous marriage, desiring nothing more than the surety that no-one could ever again question his commitment to them. The tender act, born of Bill's abiding love, was heartfelt but unnecessary: to all his children, he was always and will ever be their real father. Bill Schilling lived a life of gentleness, generosity, humility, and faith: a constant current of grace and wisdom running beneath still waters. In his quiet way, he modeled an unwavering love and devotion to his children in his fierce love for their mother, and he radiated joy in his closeness with his grandchildren. His happiest days were spent not in high places or in grand pursuits, but in the simple joys of home: peaceful days spent in the company of his beloved wife, his loyal dog, and his loving children and grandchildren, who knew how deeply they, too, were loved by him. Bill is survived by Pat, his wife of 43 years, whom he adored, and by their children: Amy Liberatore (Lenny) of Drexel Hill; Donny (Bonnie) Charlesworth of West Chester; Gail (Lawrence) Harrington of Newtown Square; and William "Drew" Schilling of Bryn Mawr; and by seven grandchildren: Benjamin Liberatore, Jacob (Caitlin) Liberatore, Sara Charlesworth, Emily Charlesworth, Nathaniel Liberatore, Katherine Harrington, and Kira Harrington. He was joyfully anticipating the birth of his first great-grandchild, expected in February 2022. Bill is also survived by loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. He joins his parents and his brothers, Yates and Fred, in the peace of the life eternal. A memorial will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, 18 December at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Drexel Hill, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the church.