William "Bill" J. Newman

William “Bill” J. Newman, age 66, passed away peacefully at Christiana Hospital after a long illness on March 27, 2023. Born in Chester, PA, on November 2, 1956, Bill was the son of Joseph and Marion Newman. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his siblings: Margaret Emsley, Joseph Newman Jr., Regina Sullivan, Mark Newman, and Patricia Rineer. He is survived by Debra, his beloved wife of 43 years, who loved and cared for him; his daughter, Danielle Boedeker (Ryan); nephew/son, Jason Friel Sr. (Bridget); and his former daughter-in-law, Rachel Friel and their son, Jason (LJ) Friel Jr. He is also survived by his remaining siblings: Joanne Newman, Marion Boyes, Gerald Newman; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was one of nine children who grew up in Eddystone, PA, before moving to Claymont, DE. Here he attended Claymont High School. As a teenager, he went to work for his uncle at Brandywine Moving and Storage before going to work at Sun Ship in Chester, PA. He would eventually meet his wife and they were inseparable from the start. You could often see them at local baseball and football fields cheering on his many nieces and nephews or fishing with friends in the Delaware Bay. They loved to travel from Nova Scotia to the Florida Keys and many places in between. Bill worked as chauffeur for Columbia Gas for about five years before he could no longer work. At some point, his nephew, Jason, came to live with him and he raised him as his son. He was blessed to have a daughter, Danielle (Dani) who would change his life in so many wonderful ways. He was also blessed when Jason married and had a son of his own who called Bill “Papi”. Bill was an avid sports fan and loved watching college and NFL football - especially the Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers, Pittsburgh Panthers, Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. You could often find him wearing his matching sport shirts and hats. He loved March Madness and the Philadelphia Phillies too. His fondest memories were of the times spent at his summer home in Long Neck, DE surrounded by his family and friends. He loved his family more than anything. He will always be remembered for his kind heart, warm smile and perseverance. The family would like to thank Bayada nursing especially, Amy, Kesha and Christine who cared for him over the past two years. The family would also like to acknowledge the nurses, doctors and staff from Christiana Care on 5C and 6B who cared for him over the past month. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2023, from 9:30-11 AM at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchmans Rd., Newark, DE 19702 followed by a service in celebration of Bill’s life at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Bill’s memory to the Spondylitis Association of America at https://spondylitis.org/get-involved/donate/. To send an online condolence, visit www.stranofeeley.com.

William "Bill" J. Newman

November 2, 1956 - March 27, 2023

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