William "Bill" John Gallagher, Jr.

Bill was a native of Philadelphia, PA, and resided most of his life in Wagontown, PA, and on Saint Simons Island, GA. He was the son of the late William J. Gallagher, Sr., and Rose Marie Gallagher. He was the loving husband of Maria Ann (DeSanctis) Gallagher for 31 years and they were blessed to have three amazing children, William III, Michael, and Elizabeth. He is also survived by his brother, Joseph, and eight sisters. Bill graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep, ’61, received a BS in accounting from St. Joseph’s University and an MBA in finance from Drexel University, both which he completed at night while working. He also engaged in doctoral studies at Chaminade University of Honolulu.

He had many occupations, beginning at age 10 when he started caddying to pay for his high school tuition. He repossessed cars, was a credit manager at Ford Motor, controller at Oliver H. Bair Co. and at ICI/Atlas Chemical, CPA at Mathieson and Aitken and as a sole practitioner, and owned and operated H.C. Sheeler Oil with his wife, Maria. Bill served in the U.S. Air Force, was a member of Coatesville Country Club and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, and was the recipient of the Medal of Honor from the city of Philadelphia for bravery.

Bill loved to play golf with his family, watch his children’s sporting events, body surf, bike, attend the opera with his wife, play (& count) cards, play chess, watch horse racing and host Kentucky Derby parties, watch college football especially Notre Dame, tend to his gardens and roses, and hold court in the local coffee shop. Bill never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face.

The family will receive visitors at St. William’s Catholic Church on Saint Simons Island on Friday, December 9, at 10:30 AM to be followed by a mass celebrating Bill’s life at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Bill’s memory to St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, 1733 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130.

Arrangements are entrusted into the care of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandsons.com