William S. Gartner, Jr.

William S. Gartner Jr, 88, of Chadds Ford PA, passed away on September 28 2025.

Born to Evelyn Platt and William Gartner Sr, Bill grew up in Holmes PA and later Chester PA with his brother Robert and sister Evelyn. He attended Friends Central High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. He also met his dearest lifelong friends from his famed Class of 1955. Bill then attended Washington and Jefferson College where he lettered in football and track. In 1963, he graduated from Temple Medical School and was Commissioned as a 1st Lt and later promoted to Captain in the US Army.

Bill returned to Delaware County PA to continue his medical specialty in Otolaryngology. He helped establish Providence ENT as a leading surgical provider in the area and treated thousands of patients. His success with what was most important to him professionally -the care of his patients- was quite apparent; it was difficult for Bill to go anywhere without happily running into his patients. Bill dedicated his professional life to caring for his patients, and practiced medicine until the age of 77.

Bill's other great joy was, of course his family. He was blessed to spend 49 years with his the love of his life, Mary B. and together they created a beautiful home and lived life to its fullest. For Bill, this also included always-awesome cooking to accommodate his robust appetite and Mary B. never tired in caring for him. Bill also relished the professional accomplishments of his children William, Eric (Diane), Astrid (Jeff) and Andrew.

Bill was also quite proud of his 11 grandchildren and their burgeoning successes and of his 1 great-grandchild (with one on the way). His humor and oversight were instrumental in earning the respect of his and his children's many friends and creating stories that are legend. Despite some of the more colorful stories, Bill always managed to imbue kindness in all things. Andrew's tragic passing only reinforced his passion for kindness to all and are the trappings of a most remarkable and good man in the truest sense of that word.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother Robert, sister Evelyn, and his son Andrew.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Monday, October 6, 2025 from 9:00 am - 10:45 am at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street West Chester, PA 19380.

Private interment at Birmingham Lafayette Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers and/or Parkinsons Voice Project.