S/Sgt. William J. Gallagher  

                                       

                                 

S/Sgt. William J. Gallagher Ret.

August 1940 - March 2009

Bill passed away on March 25, 2009.

Bill was born in Camden, New Jersey and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He began his working career as a stock and delivery boy in an American Grocery Store (forerunner of the ACME Markets) at the age of 12. His Father, Maurice and Mother, Margaret (nee Stevenson) and sister, Maureen Diane Whiteman predeceased him. Bill's beloved and beautiful wife Matilda (nee Green) passed away in April 2000 after 29 years of marriage. After moving with his family to Tinicum Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Bill joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Everglades - AD24, USS Wren - DD 568, and the USS Wallace L. Lind - DD703. Bill served as a Machinist Mate/Water King. After leaving the Navy, Bill moved to Claymont with his Mother, Father and Sister. Bill worked at Sun Shipbuilding and Dry-dock, Electric Hose and Rubber, and Capitol Bakers, before being appointed as a County Police Officer in 1969. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1977 and retired in April of 1990 after 21 years of service. Bill then worked for the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. He retired from DMV in September of 2002 as Driver's License Supervisor after 12 plus years of service. Bill volunteered much of his time to various organizations. He was a past Secretary and Chief Engineer of the Claymont Fire Co. He served as President, Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Directors and Chaplain of the New Castle County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5. Bill also served as Secretary of the Delaware State Lodge of the FOP and President of the Peikin Park Civic Association. Bill was a graduate of the 73rd AOC, the Southern Police Institute, and the University of Louisville.

Bill is survived by a daughter, Kelley Anne Caldwell, her husband Sam and son Dayton; a son, Shawn Patrick, his wife Debra and a son William; and daughter, Jennifer all of Virginia; and a daughter, Kathryn Mary Gallagher at home. He is also survived by his sister's husband, Willard Whiteman and daughter, Diane Marie; and numerous brother and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A viewing for family and friends will be on Tuesday, March 31 from 9-10am at the MCCRERY MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 3710 Kirkwood Highway at Duncan Road followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at Holy Family Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE 19713. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the Family request donations to the Holy Family Church or Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.

Arrangements by

MCCRERY FUNERAL HOME