William H. Shannon Jr., retired salesman
William H. Shannon Jr., 87, of Dagsboro, previously of North Wales and Lansdale, Pa., passed away peacefully at his home that he cherished greatly. Born in Harleysville, Pa., Bill was the son of the late Annie (Ruth) and William H. Shannon and preceded in death by brothers, Paul Ruth, Robert Shannon and sister Victoria Styer.
He is survived by his son Wayne, with whom he resided; a daughter, Karen Shannon Benham and husband Mike of Sykesville, Md.; sons Patrick of Lansdale, Pa., William H. Shannon III and wife Maureen Staerk Shannon of Columbus, N.J. and Ryan of New Castle; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He lived in Sellersville, Pa. in his youth and played on the Sell-Perk High School basketball team. He also played semi-pro football for the Pennridge Greenjackets following his discharge from the Navy.
Bill served in the U.S. Navy, Pacific Theatre during World War II and worked most of his life as a furniture and appliance salesman for Swatley Brothers in Lansdale and upon retiring for Macy's, Montgomeryville, Pa. He was very active in Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts. He enjoyed fishing and clamming, working in his garden and wood shop and the last few years spent time assembling collections for his grandchildren. His constant companion Waldo, and then Gitmo, were dogs that brought him great comfort.
Friends and family are invited to attend funeral services at 11 a.m., Friday, May 2, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, 34874 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, followed with a committal service at 1 p.m., at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro. A celebration of life for his extended family will be held this summer in Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his name to Orphan Pets, Inc., P. O. Box 145, West Caldwell, NJ 07007, or Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 245 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Suite D, Newark, DE 19713.
