William D. Wilsman,
On October 21, 2016, of Washington Twp. Age 88. Beloved husband of the late Helen (nee Boyle). Devoted father of Michael (Anna), William, Jr., John, Gerald and Kurt (Lisa). Loving grandfather of Elizabeth, Bernadette, Rebecca, Ashley, Christian and William, III. Proud great-grandfather of Natalee, Scarlett and Anna. Dear brother of John “Pidge”, Richard and Grace.

Bill Wilsman was born in Philadelphia on November 26, 1929. The son of Harry and Grace Wilsman, he was preceded in death by an older brother John (also known as “Pidge”) and sister Grace, as well as a younger brother Richard.

Mr. Wilsman graduated from Bok Vocational High School where he starred on the baseball field and also played basketball. Shortly after graduating, following in his father’s footsteps, he signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization to play professionally. He was assigned to the Rehobeth Beach Pirates of the Eastern Shore League where he played for two years before being traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played for the Dodgers’ farm team, the Billings Mustangs who won the Pioneer League Championship in 1950.

The following year Bill was drafted into the United States Army and stationed in Korea before being honorably discharged in 1953. That year he was invited to the Dodgers spring training camp in Vero Beach, Florida and moved up a class when he was assigned to the Santa Clara Dodgers for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, he broke his leg early in the season and was released from the team.

He returned to Philadelphia and was married to Helen (nee Boyle) for over fifty years. Following his baseball career, he worked for the U.S. Government in the payroll department. Following his retirement from the government he worked as a security guard for Kennedy hospital. He and Helen resided in South Philadelphia until 1964, when they moved to Washington Township for the remainder of their lives. Helen died in 2007. The two of them raised five boys, Michael (married to Anna), Billy, Jackie, Jerry, and Kurt (married to Lisa).

He died peacefully in his sleep on October 21, 2016. In addition to his sons and their wives, he is survived by six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Bernadette, Rebecca, Christian, Ashley, and William, and three great-grandchildren, Natalee, Scarlett, and Anna. He will be missed by many.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Thursday 9:00 – 10:30 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp. Funeral Service Thursday 10:30 AM. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

In lieu of flowers, donations in William’s memory may be made to the ASPCA, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.egizifuneral.com

“A Life Well Lived
Is Worth Remembering”