William Dale Wimmer

William Dale Wimmer, 81, of Newark, Delaware, passed away at his home on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Born in Wilmington, Delaware on April 12, 1944, he was the son of the late Willam G. and Stella C. (McMillan) Wimmer. 

Dale, as he was called by family and close friends, spent his childhood in the close-knit community of Roseville Park, and graduated from Newark High School. In 1965, he married Karen Bachman, and together they had four children, raising them in the suburbs of Wilmington. Although they eventually divorced, they continued to share in the lives of their children and grandchildren as they celebrated milestones, holidays, and special occasions. 

Dale worked in the world of finance, first as a credit manager for small savings and loan companies, and later as a patient account manager at Beebe Medical Center. His gift for numbers combined with his compassionate nature helped him to provide outstanding service to the customers and patients he helped over the years. He also served in the Delaware National Guard. It was while he was on duty as a guardsman, that he was struck by lightning. Fortunately, he not only survived this event, he eventually made a full recovery.

Dale’s love for baseball was apparent to anyone who knew him. He thoroughly enjoyed his years as a Little League parent, coach and umpire. Whether he was playing in a multi-generational game at our many annual family picnics, cheering on the Phillies, or attending a Blue Rocks game with friends and family, baseball always brought him joy. He loved history and had a gift for being able to remember names, dates, and other facts, making him quite the crossword puzzle and trivia game phenom. He also developed a passion for genealogy, and loved to share his discoveries as he did his research.

While he loved baseball, history, and puzzles, his true joy was his family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but most especially by those who called him Dad or Pop Pop. 

Dale is survived by his children, Gail Hughes, Michele Gispert (Robert), Beth Williamson, and Stephen Wimmer (Melanie); his 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Kenneth Wimmer (Lori) and his sister, Melissa Hazel (Steve). 

In addition to his parents, Dale was predeceased by his brother, John Wimmer; his sisters, Virginia Barbor and Rebecca Neaves; his son-in-law David Hughes; his niece Laura Bedford and nephew Albert Neaves. 

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek, on Tuesday, July 8 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., with funeral services immediately following. The interment will be held privately for the immediate family. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dale may be made to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Humane Animal Partners, 455 Stanton Christiana Road, Newark, DE 19713.

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