William L. Peiffer, award-winning Realtor, mentor

William “Bill” L. Peiffer, 80, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 22, 2025, at his home under the care of his loving husband and partner, Tony Mongello.

Bill was born in Lebanon, Pa., to the late Luke Peiffer and Ruth Bixler Peiffer. He graduated in 1963 from Lebanon High School, where he enjoyed dancing at sock hops, playground dances, and appearing once on American Bandstand. He loved all music types, especially doo wop, oldies and country. In the early 1970s, Bill moved into the family house in Rehoboth, where he worked as a manager and accountant at Gene Nelson’s Rehoboth Pharmacy. In the early 1980s, urged by Sal and Bette Gallo, he attended real estate classes and became licensed in 1983. Bill continued his career until his retirement in 2023.

Bill was a multi-award-winning agent for the next four decades. Bill was highly respected by his peers in the real estate community. He helped mentor and train many new agents into his beloved profession. He was always available to answer any questions regarding contracts, real estate law, and protocol. Bill was not just a realtor, but a broker and eventually a broker of record for a major local company. In short, he had a stellar career.

In the summer of 1978, Bill met a school teacher, Tony, who was vacationing with a friend in Dewey Beach. After a week, Tony returned home and a “weekends and summers” relationship began, which lasted for 12 years. In 1990, Tony came to Rehoboth, received his real estate license, and began working alongside Bill. In 2013, Bill and Tony were among the first to be legally married in Delaware. After 47 years together, during which Tony was Bill’s devoted sole caregiver, Tony faced the heartbreaking loss of his beloved partner.

In addition to his husband, Bill is survived by his sister, Barbara and her late husband Tom Baldwin of Orlando, Fla.; his sister, Susan Ruth and her husband Larry Ruth of Lititz, Pa. Bill is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers, and friends who will miss him dearly.