William Charles Dethlefs, Jr.

William “Bill” Dethlefs, 82, of Exton, Pennsylvania, passed away in his home on October 12, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and laughter.

 Born on February 20, 1942, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bill was the second oldest child of William Charles Dethlefs, Sr., and Mary Regina Bradley. He grew up in Dormont alongside his three siblings – Mary Isabel, James, and George – and spent his early years playing with friends around town (he was particularly fond of sledding down Lasalle Avenue during his childhood winters). 

In 1960, Bill was part of the first-ever graduating class at South Catholic High School, and afterward, he enrolled at the University of Louisville, where he graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. A lifelong learner, this academic achievement would be Bill’s first of two degrees. He would later enroll at the University of Pittsburgh and graduate with a Masters in Public Health in 1968. 

It was during his time in university that Bill first met Delfina Palombaro – and this fateful meeting during the summer of 1962 would define the course of his life forever after, embedding itself into the very core of Dethlefs family lore. As the beloved family legend goes: Bill almost fell from the rooftop he’d been standing upon the first time he ever saw Del – although no one was ever quite sure what he was doing up on that rooftop in the first place.

However, Bill’s first attempt to ask Del on a date didn’t go as planned. After gathering the courage to knock on Del’s front door two weeks later, Mrs. Palombaro turned him away. “Go to bed,” she said, before sending him off –– but her matriarchal veto did not deter him. 

Two weeks later, Bill tried again — and thank goodness he did. Because two years after their first date (a boat ride, in which they arrived at the dock late and missed departure), the two would marry on November 21, 1964, and from this union would come the two sons, two daughters, twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, he adored, as well as a lifetime of happy family memories. 

In addition to being a doting husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Bill was a hard worker, a trait he passed down to later generations. For twenty-nine years, he worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Department of Health, and rather than settle down in retirement, Bill spent another twenty-six years working for Dethlefs Pykosh Murphy Law. When he wasn’t working, Bill also served in the St. Patrick’s Cathedral choir — a membership he held joyfully for thirty years. 

Bill will always be remembered for his love for baseball (a love he shared with his friend of sixty years, Joe Baker, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania); his youthful spirit (if you asked him, he was never a day older than nineteen); his witty sense-of-humor (he loved a good meme); how he’d always answer every “I love you” with a “me too you”; and of course (most importantly) his unwavering, unconditional love for Del. Bill loved his family and friends, and the wonderful life he was able to build, “all because,” as he’d say, “two people fell in love.” 

Bill leaves behind a loving and devoted family, including his cherished wife of 59 years, Delfina; his sister, Mary Isabel (husband, Sam) of Pittsburgh, PA; his brothers, James (wife, Carol) of Meadville, PA, and George (wife, Leigh) of Pensacola, FL. He is also survived by his sons, Eric (wife, Rose) of West Chester, PA, and Darrell (wife, Kathy Kohlhaas) of Mechanicsburg, PA; and his daughters, Stacey Ivkovich (husband, Patrick) of Coatesville, PA, and Julie Denniston (husband, John) of Harrisburg, PA. Bill was the proud grandfather of twelve beloved grandchildren: Eric (wife, Jericha); John; Colin; Anna; Thomas (wife, Kaleigh); Emily (husband, Brian); Bridgette; Peter; Julia; Russell; Colleen; and Will. Bill was also blessed with six great-grandchildren—Jonas, Guinevere, Aurelia, Margalo, Coradina, and Maeve—as well as countless nieces, nephews, friends, and family, near and far—all of whom brought him immense pride and joy. 

Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours at Parthemore Funeral Home in New Cumberland on Friday, October 18th, from 7 to 10 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 19th, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Harrisburg. Written by Grandson, John Denniston