Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
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Source: January 2001 Volume 39 Number 1, Page 33


In Memoriam: William G. McDowell

Page 33

A member for only a short time, but a good friend of the History Club, William G. "Bill" McDowell died at his home in Paoli on October 15, 2000 at age 71. He was born in Chestnut Hill but also had family roots deep in the soil of Tredyffrin Township. In 1861 his great, great grandfather William L McDowell, owner of a Philadelphia iron foundry, purchased a summer place in the Great Valley on Cedar Hollow Road which he owned until his death in 1897.

Bill McDowell graduated from Upper Darby High School, and Club president "Skip" Eichner enjoyed engaging him in conversation about the "blue and gold" colors of the school as he is also an alumnus. McDowell went on to the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated from the Wharton School. He was a registered professional engineer and joined drug manu­facturer Merck, Sharp & Dohme in West Point, Montgomery County, where he worked for many years as senior director of engineering.

His dedication to serving our local community was well known. At the time of his death, he was president of the Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board to which he was elected in November of 1997. He was a former member of the Tredyffrin Township Library Board, and held the post of president for five years. He was a former board member, secretary and treasurer of Waynesborough Country Club, and served his church, Wayne Presbyterian, as a deacon.

Bill is survived by his wife Margaret, and sons William of Durham, New Hampshire; Thomas of Paoli; and John of Hingham, Massachusetts, as well as by seven grandchildren. We will miss him.

 
 

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