William F. Whelan Jr.

William F. Whelan, Jr., an award-winning healthcare volunteer with 27 years of service to St. Joseph’s University, died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, August 26, 2023, after a long illness. He was 89.

The grandson of a coal miner, “Bill” was predeceased by his parents, William and Margaret Whelan of Ardmore, PA; his brother James of Newtown Square, PA; and his first wife, Mary Margaret (Kenney) Whelan of Maple Glen, PA.

Bill, a voracious reader and joyful logophile, considered his Jesuit education the bedrock of his life. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep in 1951 and St. Joseph’s University in 1955. He then served proudly in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany. As a peacetime soldier, Bill traveled extensively throughout Europe, always with his camera draped over his shoulder, and captured his cherished adventures within countless treasured photographs. Bill returned to his college alma mater in 1959 as its news service director. He was promoted to public relations director and editor of the alumni magazine in 1965.

Bill joined The Korman Corporation in 1971 as director of consumer relations and was named its first vice president of corporate communications four years later. In 1979, he joined Sorbus, a national computer service company, as director of communications. Then, in 1984, Bill was named regional sales director for Bell Atlantic (now Verizon).

Serendipitously, Bill began teaching undergraduate journalism in St. Joseph’s evening division in 1968, and he taught a variety of English courses for the next 18 years. Regardless of his many business accomplishments, Bill often spoke of his time as an adjunct professor at St. Joe’s as his most spiritually and intellectually rewarding. He received the faculty’s Distinguished Service Award in 1983. Bill also taught business communications classes at Spring Garden College, Montgomery County Community College, and for Immaculata College’s seminar series. 

During his business career, Bill served as a board member for numerous organizations, including the Philadelphia Public Relations Association, the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware Valley Association of Communicators, and the Suburban Public Relations Association.

Bill – a deeply religious man who possessed an encyclopedic grasp of classic film, baseball history, and the blues – devoted his retirement years to a number of caregiving assignments: senior pastoral care visitor at Jefferson Bucks Hospital, hospice volunteer for Odyssey Healthcare, hospice bereavement volunteer for Abington Memorial Hospital, and as a NODA (No One Dies Alone) volunteer for St. Mary Medical Center. Odyssey Healthcare awarded Bill its Volunteer of the Year honor in 2009 for demonstrating “an extraordinary degree of compassion in end-of-life care”. 

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Anita Helbling; three sons, William (Kristina) of Wyndmoor, PA, Andrew (Katelyn) of Philadelphia, PA, and Barry of Annapolis, MD; three daughters, Maureen Hance (George) of Haddon Heights, NJ, Margaret Ann Kennedy (Daniel) of Wilmington, DE, and Bernadette Gunn (Jack) of Fernandina Beach, FL; a sister-in-law, Polly, of Newtown Square, PA; fourteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

By those who grew closest to him, Bill will always be remembered for his gratitude for Anita, his zest for life, his devastating hook shot, his high regard for the written and spoken word, his exuberant appreciation for fresh hot soup, his boundless curiosity, his remarkable courage during his final days on Earth, and his inspiring display of unshakeable faith. Bill will be missed most by Anita, whose selfless care and enduring love for him was endless. 

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 10 am to 11 am prior to the funeral mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Morrisville, PA. Mass will be celebrated by Monsignor John Eckert. Interment will be held privately at St. Denis Cemetery, Havertown, PA.

Memorial contributions sent in William F. Whelan’s name to St. Joseph’s Prep, 1733 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, would be appreciated by his family.