William J. "Buddy" Handlin

William J. "Buddy" Handlin, age 93, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Buddy was born in Wilmington, son of the late Harry and Mary (McFarland) Handlin. He was a graduate of Salesianum High School; served honorably with the US Marine Corps during the Korean War; and enjoyed a 30+ year career as a sheet metal worker in Local 19.
He was a talented baseball player as a young man, playing during his USMC service and later professionally in the Cincinnati Reds farm system. Upon retirement as a sheet metal worker, he pursued his passion for golf and worked for 20+ years at Delcastle Golf Club. Buddy was very proud of his 5 career holes-in-one. He enjoyed traveling; especially annual trips to Myrtle Beach and Cape May; and he always found time to enjoy a good cigar and nice glass of wine while basking in the sun. Above all else, he cherished the time that he spent with his family.
Buddy is survived by his children, Bill Handlin and his wife, Tina, Jeanmarie Walsh and her husband, Jack, Sean Handlin and his wife, Gina, and Mary Kay Wilson; his grandchildren, Billy, Jenny, Michael, Ryan, Lindsey, Kelsey, Kara, Matt, Erin, Caitlin, DJ, Emily and Nate; and his great-grandchildren, Connor, Ava, Danny, Evie, Emery, Brooks, Brayden, Grace, Hayden, Alessia, McKenna, Hadley, Nolan, Amileo, Cruz, and Keegan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Kathryn A. Handlin; his son-in-law, Doug Wilson; his grandson, Christopher Wilson; and his siblings, Harry Handlin, and Barbara Blakely.
Family and friends are invited to the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. A viewing will be held from 10:00am - 12:00pm, with a service to follow. Interment will be held in All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Buddy's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101.
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