William Michael Deptula

CAMDEN……………………..William M. "Bill" Deptula, 94, considered himself middle aged, since he

planned to live to the age of 122. Realty came in on August 9, 2025 at the age of 94. Born in

Wilmington, Delaware to Polish parents, Veronica J. and William P. Deptula, he became fluent

in the Polish language which he loved. Bill graduated from Wilmington High School and soon

entered the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. After his discharge, he entered Philadelphia

College of Pharmacy where he received a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and received the

highest grade in his class in Professional Pharmacy.

In 1952, he married Claire Ackerman and they later had five children, Stephen W., Kathleen,

David, Julie and Gregory.

After working in community pharmacies, Bill went to work for Eli Lilly & Co. where he worked

for 38 years, then retired. His final years with Lilly he took assignments in Poland, Austria,

Romania and Bulgaria.

Bill and Claire moved to Camden where he continued his avid fishing, bird watching and his

interest in pharmacy, physiology pharmacology, and the French language. Bill studied French

for five years repeating the class five times.

Bill's greatest loves were his wife, Claire, family, the Catholic Church, bird study, and fishing

where he spent more than he should on fish lures and bird seed.

He was predeceased by sons, David W. and Stephen W. Deptula, grandson, Jay H. Johnson; four

brothers and a sister. Surviving is his wife, of 73 years, Claire Deptula; daughters, Kathleen D.

(Dave) Farnsworth, Julie D. (Steve) D. Becica; son, Gregory Deptula (Julie); grandchildren,

Megan, Andrew (Mariya), Joseph and Emily Becica, Stephanie Wozny (Tim) Veronica and

Matthew Deptula, Eric Deptula (Julia); great grandchildren Ana, Damir, Carter, Graham and

Eden Kate and a brother, Richard Deptula.

The funeral mass will be held at 11AM, Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Our Lady of Good Hope

Catholic Church in Camden. Interment will be held later in Wilmington, DE. Condolences and

memories may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the

Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.