William Thalheimer

Bill was born in Woodbury, New Jersey, on August 11, 1934, to William Hastings Thalheimer and Irma Good Thalheimer. His early years were spent playing with friends and his older sister Caroline “Carlie” Lucas (née Thalheimer) while moving every few years as his father was transferred to different worksites.

Bill graduated from the Pierre S. Dupont High School in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Bill attended Bowdoin College (’55) in Brunswick, Maine, majoring in chemistry. At Bowdoin, Bill was the president of his fraternity, worked on the college radio station, and managed the swim team. He subsequently went to Cornell University’s Hotel Management School until he was drafted into the Army, where he worked for the Army’s Chemical Corps in Aberdeen, Maryland.

During his formative years, Bill worked at a Howard Johnson’s restaurant, was a tugboat deckhand in the Pacific Northwest, and worked at the Chevy Chase Inn in Port Townsend, Washington, where he met his first wife, Katharine “Kay” Philipps (née Hartwell).

After the Army, Bill embarked on a very successful career in technical sales, product development, and purchasing (via Atlas Chemical, ICI Americas, AstraZeneca). In his favorite job, purchasing manager, he was one of the world’s leading buyers of sugar and later corn syrup. He loved the job because of the challenge of it and because of the camaraderie he felt with those with whom he worked.

Bill married his best friend Alice Neal on July 4th, 1986, and they stayed happily married until his death. Alice and Bill enjoyed many strong friendships, hosted legendary Christmas parties, took dancing and bridge lessons, enjoyed good food and restaurants, attended church, took walks together, traversed Lake Keowee in their pontoon boat and Casco Bay in their powerboat. One of their favorite things to do was to travel Downeast (Maine Coast) in the summer, staying at “The Camp” on Quahog Bay and later in Wiscasset, Maine.

Bill loved hiking. Whether climbing all the 4,000-foot mountains in New Hampshire or hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim, Bill’s motto was “Less talking, more walking!” He founded two hiking groups, the Oconee Hikers (near Clemson, SC) and a group at his Cascades (Greenville, SC) retirement community, coordinating with the wellness director.

Bill’s four children (William “Will” Hartwell Thalheimer, Elizabeth “Betsy” Brett, John Howell Thalheimer, and Andrew Hastings Thalheimer) were blessed with Bill’s love and support. He took them hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, to restaurants, and more; he also helped them navigate difficult times. Bill also gifted his children his sense of humor; his family will always remember when Bill regaled them with a joke, laughing so hard himself that tears streamed, and the punchline got lost in giggles and affection.

Predeceased by his parents and his sister, Bill is survived by his wife Alice Neal, his children and their spouses, and four grandchildren, with whom he cherished spending time: Tiffany Leah Good Brett Charlett, Alena Grace Thalput, Nicholas, and Savannah.

Bill left one final smile for his family. Tucked away on the top shelf of his closet was one of his heavenly fruitcakes, which he famously baked, soaked in bourbon, and delivered to his closest friends and family members, bringing warmth and good spirits to each and every one at Christmas.

A memorial service will be held at the Cascades on Saturday December 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM.

Donations can be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club (https://www.outdoors.org/donate/donate-form/).

As Bill said after he had said all he needed to say: “Like that…”