William H. Pheiffer

William H. Pheiffer died on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at home with his family.

Born August 30, 1924, he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. A Navy veteran of WWII, he served in the Pacific as a gunner on a torpedo bomber. After his discharge, Bill graduated from Lafayette College and began a career in television and radio in 1949. He did play-by-play and color commentary for the University of Delaware football, basketball and baseball games for over 30 years. He also did television play-by-play for the NBA’s Philadelphia Warriors, Palestra Big Five Basketball and the Wilmington Blue Bombers. In addition, he covered the Phillies spring training for WDEL from the 50’s to the 80’s. He was the voice of Salesianum football for 25 years, as well as the game announcer for the University of Delaware’s Blue and Gold All-Star Games.

Bill called football and basketball games for most high schools in Delaware during his 30 years at WDEL. Bill’s career included assignments as sports editor for Delaware Today Magazine, sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Bulletin and sports writer for Young Athlete Magazine. He was the originator of the Delaware Coaches Golf Tournament which he conducted for 12 years. He was a member of numerous professional organizations such as the Heisman Trophy Committee for Delaware, Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association and the Delaware Olympic Committee. Among his many awards were the Athletic Institute National Service Award, Blue Hen Touchdown Club Hallam-Roberson Award and he was a seven time winner of the National Sports Writers and Broadcasters Award for Delaware. He was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

Bill was an active member of St. John the Beloved Catholic Parish for 57 years as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus. After retirement, Bill continued to be very active in the community as a volunteer with such organizations as Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, The Read Aloud Program, and Wheels, Inc.

He was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn. He is survived by his sons, Michael of Wilmington, DE; Neal and his wife, Terri Pheiffer, grandchildren, Derek, Scott and Rebecca of Wilmington, DE; Matthew Pheiffer and his wife, Sherol of Bluffton SC, grandchildren, Thomas and wife, Lyndsy, William and David, of Bluffton, SC; his daughters, Catherine Veale and her husband, Chris, grandchildren Emily, Nathan, Sara and Carly of Hockessin, DE; and Laurie Mayer and her husband, Phil, grandchildren Jennie, Kevin, Brian and great grandson, Jace of Ocean Springs, MS.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, March 5 from 5-7 pm at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Pike Creek. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 6 at 10 am at St. John the Beloved Parish, 907 Milltown Rd. Burial will be private.

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