Died peacefully Aug. 21, 2013. Known as Bill to many, Buster to some, Uncle Bus to a few and Pop-Pop to his adoring grandchildren, Bill led a life full of patience, love and compassion. In his 95 short years here on earth, Pop served as leader, mentor and friend to all. The oldest son of Clarence Arvel and Beatrice (nee Boyd), Bill was born March 31, 1918, in Barren Hill, within Whitemarsh Town-ship, Pa.
Bill bore a striking resem-blance to silent film star Buster Keaton, earning a nickname that stuck with him to the end. Generations of nieces and nephews referred to him as Uncle Bus in Facebook posts announcing his death. Buster was working for a soda company in North Philadelphia in the late '30s when he met the beautiful Cecilia Elizabeth Atkins. They married Dec. 19, 1940, and soon had three children. Bill then enlisted in the Navy and saw action in the Pacific theater of World War II, before returning home and adding two more boys to the family. In 1950, Bill joined the Philadelphia Police Depart-ment, and retired as a lieutenant in 1976. Pop was extremely proud of his time in the service, and grateful for the numerous friendships cultivated during his career as a police officer. The family wants to thank the Delaware Valley Veterans Home staff, who took care of Bill during the last nine years.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife Cecilia, son William and great-grandson John. He is survived by son Charles (Kathy), daughters Cecilia Coffield (Jim) and Marjorie Graham (Bill, deceased), son Lawrence (Virginia), 10 grand-children, 20 great-grand-children and one great-great-grandson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Delaware Valley Veterans Home at 2701 Southampton Rd., Phila., Pa. 19154.
Please join the family for a celebration of Bill's life at 1 PM - 2:30 PM Monday at BURNS FUNERAL HOME, 9708 Frankford Ave. (So. of Grant Ave.), Phila., Pa. 19114.