William David Whisler Sr.

WILLIAM D. WHISLER, SR "Bill", Veteran Scouter Bill Whisler, age 97 of Wilmington, Delaware died peacefully December 23, 2024 at AccentCare Inpatient Hospice Center after a brief illness. He was born in Peru, Indiana September 29, 1927, the only child of Lewis and Jeanette (Lawrence) Whisler, both deceased. He met his wife of 73 years, Kathleen "Katie" (Peters) Whisler, in the first grade, and they were high school sweethearts. They were married October 27, 1946 soon after he was commissioned in the Army Field Artillery. After a very short honeymoon, he sailed for Germany where he was assigned as a military police officer. His bride joined him after several months, and their son William, Jr. was born in Bad Constatt, Germany in January 1948. Upon separation from active duty into the active Army Reserve, the family returned to Indiana where he attended Indiana University, graduating with distinction in two years with a B.S. degree in statistics. He joined the DuPont Company Treasurers Department in 1950 where he progressed through supervisory positions before he transferred to the Elastomer Chemicals Department Control Division. During the 1950's the family was increased by the birth of two native Delawareans, daughters Penny Kathleen and Mary Elizabeth. He retired from Du Pont in 1982 at age 55 as an assistant division manager after 32 years’ service. As a boy, Bill joined Troop 6 at age 10 in 1937 (he was supposed to be 12!) and was a veteran Scouter of 84 years when he died. In 1942 one of the first Boy Scout Air Scout Squadrons in the nation was formed in Peru, Indiana, and Bill and the other members enjoyed being instructed in numerous subjects by veteran Naval personnel at the nearby Naval Air Training Station. He became an Eagle Scout in December 1942. He was involved in civil defense, including fingerprinting of persons involved in the war effort, and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. After moving to Delaware in 1950, the next week he joined Troop 53 as an assistant scoutmaster, and then served as scoutmaster and explorer advisor. He then founded Cub Scout Pack 8 in 1955, and served as cubmaster until leaving to found Troop 43 in 1956 where he served as scoutmaster seven years. In 1962, he became district training chairman for Wilmington for five years. In 1967, he was chosen as one of five volunteers in the nation to lead the Leadership Development Experiment conducted by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America using Wood Badge, their advanced training course, as a vehicle for the experiment. He and his team of Delmarva Council volunteers introduced the experiment directly into 20 other councils in the eastern United States and indirectly into numerous other councils through scouters who attended courses led by him and team members at the scout's national training center at Schiff Scout Reservation in New Jersey. In 1972, the experiment ended, and the resulting leadership course was implemented nationwide. He was given a special award by the National Council for his efforts. For the next 10 years he served as Wood Badge Coordinator for Area 1 Southeast Region volunteer for 12 local councils comprising all of Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. He then became Delmarva Council camping chairman for nine years followed by 19 years as council training chairman. In 1968, he was appointed a member of the scout's international training team as a deputy camp chief of Gilwell Park, the international training center near London, England. He received the District Order of Merit and the Silver Beaver from Delmarva Council and the Silver Antelope from the Southeast Region National Council for distinguished service to boyhood and scouting. In 2008, he received the Delmarva Council President's Award as Scouter of the Year. In that year, he retired from the Council Executive Board after 37 years of service. In 2010, he was chosen as Delmarva Council's representative for the BSA's National Hall of Leadership, one of 300 honorees in the nation, in recognition of his efforts of training youth and adult scouters since 1952. During that time, he was directly involved in training over 6000 leaders, and no one can determine the number indirectly affected. The new Delmarva Council Training Center is to be named The William Whisler Training Center. In 2016, he received the National Eagle Scout Association’s Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. Bill was a 68-year member of Marshallton United Methodist Church. He served as a Lay Speaker, as an Administrative Board member for 50 years, including a period as chairman, and Finance Committee Chairman and volunteer Chief of Maintenance for over 20 years. He was proud to have led a team of 10 other retired volunteers in renovating the church inside and out during the five years 1984-89. He delivered Meals on Wheels for three decades. Bill was involved in the annual Scottish games, The Colonial Highland Gathering, from its inception, retiring after 31 years after serving as treasurer, administrator and finally for several years as executive director of the games. He was a founding director and treasurer of The United States Piping Foundation, which is dedicated to the improvement and spread of bagpiping. In his spare time, he greatly enjoyed reading history and working on his extensive HO train layout. He also enjoyed traveling, visiting most of the continental US, Alaska, Mexico, several Caribbean islands, western Canada and all the eastern Maritime Provinces, the British Isles, Ireland and continental Europe. Bill is survived by his daughter Penny Thomas of Bear, Delaware; three grandsons: Jeffrey Whisler (Amber), Seattle, Washington, Wilfred LeVasseur, Lewes, Delaware, and William III and his daughter, Katia of Port Richey, Florida, daughter-in-law, Tomi (Diven) Whisler, and four step great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Megan, Haley, and Emily Diven. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Katie, son, William, Jr., daughter Mary E. and son-in-law, Thomas H. Thomas. A visitation will be held Saturday, March 29 from 10 – 11a.m. at Marshallton United Methodist Church, 1105 Stanton Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808, followed by a service of celebration of Bill’s life. A luncheon will follow in the church Fellowship Hall. Burial will be private in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the dedicated, compassionate staff of AccentCare, especially nurse Jessica and aides, Natasha and Janel. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Delmarva Council, 1910 Baden Powell Way, Dover, DE 19904 or AccentCare Hospice, 220 Continental Dr., Suite 407, Newark, DE 19713 or Marshallton United Methodist Church, 1105 Stanton Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808. In accordance with the Scout Oath, throughout his life HE DID HIS BEST

William David Whisler Sr.

September 29, 1927 - December 23, 2024

Explore Obituaries &
Upcoming Services