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William Oldham Schwoebel, 83, passed away Monday December 27, 2010 at Park Lane at Bellingham in West Chester, PA. William was born in Bryn Mawr, PA on April 18, 1927 to his parents, Richard and Dorothy (nee Russell) Schwoebel, both deceased. He grew up in Ardmore and attended the Oakmont School and graduated from Haverford High School in January 1945. He studied at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY and sailed around the world before he turned 19. He graduated from the Academy in 1948. He was an active member of the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and was proud to be a veteran of WWII. William also served in the Naval Reserves for 20 years and retired with the rank of Second Lieutenant. William worked for over 60 years in the field of landscaping. He first worked for his father, Richard Schwoebel, Landscape Contractor and Nurseryman, in Ardmore, PA. In 1967 he took over his father’s business and renamed it the Richard Schwoebel Company, and ran it until the end of 1998. He was a member of the American Association of Nurserymen, the PA Nurserymen’s Association, the Delaware Valley Landscape Contractors Association, and the Historical Car Club of PA. Throughout his life he greatly enjoyed his work, as well as hunting, fishing, reading and traveling with his dear wife Belle. Their favorite vacation destination was Bermuda. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Belle Courtney Schwoebel, and his brother Richard Schwoebel Jr., both in 2009. He is survived by his three children: William O. Schwoebel Jr. (Catherine) of Havertown, PA, Sandra L. Schwoebel of Tucson, AZ, and Beverly S. Dannaker ( John M.) of Malvern, PA. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Stephen H. (Kristin) and Victoria R. Schwoebel of Havertown, PA, Carolyn C. and Christopher R. Hokin of Tucson, AZ, and Sean M. and Amanda F. Dannaker of Malvern, PA. A memorial service is planned for February 19, 2011 at the Chadwick-McKinney Funeral Home Inc., 30 E. Athens Ave., Ardmore, PA, 19003. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. with a brief memorial service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in his name to the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association, 300 Steamboat Rd., Babson Center, Kings Point, NY 11024, or through their web site, www.usmmaaf.com.

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William O. Schwoebel

April 18, 1927 - December 27, 2010