William Raymond "Bill / Beetle" Reidinger

William "Bill / Beetle" Raymond Reidinger, age 68, of Newark, DE, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer.
Bill was born on April 17, 1956 in Wilmington, DE to the late Ray and Sally Reidinger. He graduated from Newark High School in 1974 and went on to graduate from the University of Delaware in 1980. Bill worked as a computer programmer until very happily retiring in 2018.
Bill loved his family and friends and considered himself the luckiest man on earth. He met and married his soulmate in 1985 and had three wonderful children, who were the center of his universe and who he was so proud of in every way. Bill was not only an incredible father to his own children, but a role model to everyone fortunate enough to know him.
He was a man of unlimited hobbies and talents. Bill was an idea man and inventor, and a self-taught handy man, learning as he renovated each room of their home over the last three decades. He was happiest using his time and skills to help family and friends with their projects, even through retirement.
A lifelong elite athlete, Bill competed as a Division 1 collegiate swimmer, ran multiple marathons, journeyed across many states by bike, and completed miles of open water swims across the world. He was a fierce but humble competitor, with a relentless inner strength. What he valued most about these pursuits was the time spent building lasting relationships with his teammates and training partners.
Bill loved life, whether he was planting seeds in his garden, walking his dog Sparky, camping, eating hot dogs on the beach, cheering on local sports teams, or spending time with family and friends. He was content to discover the beauty in small moments and create joy wherever he found himself. Those who knew him were blessed to be able to witness his gentle spirit and kind heart.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Sally Reidinger. He is survived by his wife and best friend of over 38 years, Kathy Reidinger; children, Dan Reidinger (Sarah) of Elkton, MD, Charlie Reidinger (Emily) of Conowingo, MD, and Annie Reidinger (Brok) currently stationed in Kailua, HI; sisters, Madeline Johnson (Greg) of Landenberg, PA and Carolyn Shields (Dan) of Wilmington, DE; along with many loving in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless forever friends from all parts of his life.
A public visitation will be held from 3 pm to 5 pm on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a Celebration of Life will begin at 5 pm. An open reception will follow on the second floor of the Deer Park Tavern, 108 W. Main Street, Newark, DE at 6 pm, where family and friends are invited to share their stories and memories of Bill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society by clicking here, the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore, MD by clicking here, or the charity of your choice.