William A. MacCall

On February 19, 2021, Village Green Park in Media lost their famous storyteller and master at spinning yarns. His family lost an amazing man full of love and loud laughter. William A. MacCall, 95, passed away peacefully at his home.
Bill’s life was a collection of many stories. He was a devoted son, father, grandfather, World War ll veteran, semi pro baseball catcher, avid golfer and hunter, Santa Claus and even a Hawaiian beachcomber !
He was born in Andover, Massachusetts on July 28, 1925 to father, Dexter and mother, Esther MacCall. He was the oldest of five children. He starting working odd jobs at an early age to help support and care for his siblings.
Bill enlisted in the US Coast Guard during World War ll. His first assignment was on a horse patrol in the North Atlantic. Not only did he hate the freezing temperatures; he had great disdain for his four legged partner, an obstinate twenty four year old nag, named General. He gladly accepted a transfer to the Pacific Theater aboard the LST ship, Mad Hooligan, from 1943-1946. He participated in several invasions in the Philippines, Borneo and Okinawa. He later became a proud member of the American Legion Post 926 in Aston.
After the war, he returned home and married the love of his life, Shirley Pyle. They were married for over sixty years.
Bill worked for twenty seven years as a supervisor at Irving Textile Mill until it closed in 1969. He went on to work in the maintenance department at Scott Paper Company until his retirement in 1987.
Bill played semi-pro baseball as a catcher in the Delco Valley League for many years. He was inducted into the Aston Hall of Fame for his excellence in sports. He was a co founder and past president of the Delco Softball Officials Association.
Bill’s leadership qualities did not stop there. As an enthusiastic hunter, he became a charter member and longtime president of the Delaware Valley Gun Club. He was known as an avid golfer and joined the ranks of the the few who achieved a “hole in one” status. For years, he and his wife delighted children at Christmas time as Santa and Mrs. Claus. His jolly ways could convince anyone to never stop believing in Santa and the magic of Christmas. After retirement, he lived in Hawaii for one year.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Esther and Dexter, his wife, Shirley, his son, William Jr., brothers, Tommy, Jack and Bob and sister, Geri Hamby. He is survived by his sons, Robert and Gary and grandson, Steven and many special friends and wonderful neighbors, all of whom he loved.
Arrangements were made by the Bateman-Allen Funeral Home, Brookhaven. Due to Covid restrictions, the family will hold a celebration of Bill’s life in the spring. Online condolences can be sent via www.batemanfuneralhome.com.
The family requests that you keep telling Bill’s stories, and by doing so, he will always be a part of us and never truly gone.