William Hare
May 19, 1932 — May 23, 2016
William “BIll” Clifford Hare, age 84, of Ocean City, New Jersey (Formerly of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania) born on May 19, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania died on Monday, May 23, 2016 where he resided with his wife, at his daughter’s home, in Marriottsville, Maryland. He was the husband of Barbara Selfridge Hare of Ocean City, New Jersey and the father of James Clifford Hare (Valerie Hare) of Summerville, SC, Stephen William Hare of Voorhees, NJ, Susan Hare Brown (James Brown) and honorary daughter Rev. Judith A. Emerson of Marriottsville, Maryland. He was the grandfather of Jillian McVey Culp (Thomas Culp), Taylor Layne Hare, Amanda Elizabeth Brown and Eric William Brown. He was the great-grandfather of Sawyer Layne Culp. He was the son of the late Clifford William Hare and the late Blanche Nicholson Hare and the brother of Virginia Hare Davenport of Absecon, New Jersey.
Bill was never without a dog in his life and considered them gifts from God, most even had biblical names: Breezy, Rocky, Sam, Harry, Samson, Abraham, Marty, Benjamin, Orion, Andrew, Scooter, Jeremiah, Kevin, Moses, Chester, Oliver, and Harley were all part of his pack at one time or another.
Born at Women's Medical Hospital in West Philadelphia and baptized at the Patterson Memorial Presbyterian Church-63rd and Haverford Ave, Bill’s family moved to Lansdowne, PA when he was 5 years old. He attended Lansdowne Presbyterian Church, was a Boy Scout and a Sea Scout and had a ship on the Rancocas Creek in NJ. He graduated from Lansdowne High School in 1950 and from Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University) with a degree in Business Administration in 1955 where he was in ROTC and commissioned at graduation. He became a 1st Lieutenant in the infantry division of the Army and guarded the 38th parallel in Korea. On June 21, 1958 Bill married Barbara Selfridge at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From 1957-1976, he worked as a tax accountant with pension/profit- sharing plans at First Pennsylvania Banking and Trust Company and then went on to work as a Senior Trust Officer at Provident National Bank.
Bill dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. There was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with them, watching them grow and getting them involved in his many plans, endeavors and silly schemes. He loved to laugh with others and at himself and the grandchildren enjoyed helping him in both ways. He was very active at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (now known as New Spirit Community Presbyterian Church) as a trustee and elder for over 50 years as well as being the treasurer for the memorial fund, singing in the choirs, helping with Camp Fire youth and chairing youth conferences with over 125 teens at one time. He was on the Boy Scout Troop Committee when both sons achieved Eagle Scout.
Bill loved drawing architectural plans and any kind of building and construction and built two houses in Ocean City, NJ with his dad and a master carpenter. He also loved fixing up his home with many colonial details and enjoyed entertaining and sharing his home with anyone and everyone. He constantly shared his skills with his church as well and was always figuring out things to build or fix. This love of building led him to his second career when, in 1975, Bill and his wife Barbara bought 22 acres of land in South Jersey and built Colonial Meadows Family Campground with the help of many.
He always wanted people to be able to enjoy his beloved Ocean City, NJ in an affordable, family-friendly, Christian way. He succeeded in so many ways and always loved his campground. In his off time, he loved traveling from Canada to Florida and as far west as Yellowstone in a pop up, camping van and campers. He was never happier than when he was studying a map and figuring out his next trip.
Bill’s favorite Bible verse was Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” He lived this verse every day, was proud of his faith in our Lord and shared it with everyone he met. We know that he is in heaven now most likely fixing something with duct tape as we are celebrating his incredible life here on earth.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 4901 Woodbine Road, Sykesville, Maryland 21784 on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at 2:30 PM with Rev. Judith A. Emerson officiating.
Interment will be private.
Memorial Contributions can be made to New Spirit Community Presbyterian Church at 5736 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143 or Ebenezer United Methodist Church Building Fund at 4901 Woodbine Road, Sykesville, Maryland 21784.
Arrangements made by: Burrier Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA, online condolences to www.burrier-queen.com.
Bill was never without a dog in his life and considered them gifts from God, most even had biblical names: Breezy, Rocky, Sam, Harry, Samson, Abraham, Marty, Benjamin, Orion, Andrew, Scooter, Jeremiah, Kevin, Moses, Chester, Oliver, and Harley were all part of his pack at one time or another.
Born at Women's Medical Hospital in West Philadelphia and baptized at the Patterson Memorial Presbyterian Church-63rd and Haverford Ave, Bill’s family moved to Lansdowne, PA when he was 5 years old. He attended Lansdowne Presbyterian Church, was a Boy Scout and a Sea Scout and had a ship on the Rancocas Creek in NJ. He graduated from Lansdowne High School in 1950 and from Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University) with a degree in Business Administration in 1955 where he was in ROTC and commissioned at graduation. He became a 1st Lieutenant in the infantry division of the Army and guarded the 38th parallel in Korea. On June 21, 1958 Bill married Barbara Selfridge at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From 1957-1976, he worked as a tax accountant with pension/profit- sharing plans at First Pennsylvania Banking and Trust Company and then went on to work as a Senior Trust Officer at Provident National Bank.
Bill dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. There was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with them, watching them grow and getting them involved in his many plans, endeavors and silly schemes. He loved to laugh with others and at himself and the grandchildren enjoyed helping him in both ways. He was very active at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia (now known as New Spirit Community Presbyterian Church) as a trustee and elder for over 50 years as well as being the treasurer for the memorial fund, singing in the choirs, helping with Camp Fire youth and chairing youth conferences with over 125 teens at one time. He was on the Boy Scout Troop Committee when both sons achieved Eagle Scout.
Bill loved drawing architectural plans and any kind of building and construction and built two houses in Ocean City, NJ with his dad and a master carpenter. He also loved fixing up his home with many colonial details and enjoyed entertaining and sharing his home with anyone and everyone. He constantly shared his skills with his church as well and was always figuring out things to build or fix. This love of building led him to his second career when, in 1975, Bill and his wife Barbara bought 22 acres of land in South Jersey and built Colonial Meadows Family Campground with the help of many.
He always wanted people to be able to enjoy his beloved Ocean City, NJ in an affordable, family-friendly, Christian way. He succeeded in so many ways and always loved his campground. In his off time, he loved traveling from Canada to Florida and as far west as Yellowstone in a pop up, camping van and campers. He was never happier than when he was studying a map and figuring out his next trip.
Bill’s favorite Bible verse was Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” He lived this verse every day, was proud of his faith in our Lord and shared it with everyone he met. We know that he is in heaven now most likely fixing something with duct tape as we are celebrating his incredible life here on earth.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 4901 Woodbine Road, Sykesville, Maryland 21784 on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at 2:30 PM with Rev. Judith A. Emerson officiating.
Interment will be private.
Memorial Contributions can be made to New Spirit Community Presbyterian Church at 5736 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143 or Ebenezer United Methodist Church Building Fund at 4901 Woodbine Road, Sykesville, Maryland 21784.
Arrangements made by: Burrier Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA, online condolences to www.burrier-queen.com.
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