William “Bill” Gilmore Jr. was born on February 7, 1931, at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a family of four, alongside his older brother Eugene and their parents, William Gilmore Sr. and Frances (Togue) Gilmore. The family later moved to Chester, PA, where Bill’s father worked as a shipbuilder at Sun Ship.
Bill attended St. Michael’s Catholic School and graduated from Chester High School in 1949. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Korean War, stationed on various ships throughout the region. His dedication earned him several honors, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Occupational Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
After completing his military service in 1956, Bill pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, where he graduated. In 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Moretti, who had a twin sister Josephine. Both sisters married men named Bill in a joint wedding ceremony on September 20, 1958, and the two couples were inseparable throughout their lives.
Bill and Mary spent their 63 years of marriage in the Chester area, surrounded by their large, close-knit Irish and Italian Catholic family. Although they had no children, they cherished their many nieces and nephews and enjoyed frequent family gatherings.
Professionally, Bill worked for many years as an Investment Bank Auditor at Brown Brothers Harriman, America’s oldest private investment bank. Mary also had a long career at First Keystone Bank. The couple were active members of the Springhouse Country Club in Wallingford, where they enjoyed the club’s amenities and traveled often, visiting destinations such as the Jersey shore, Ireland, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. They were also dedicated parishioners at St. Katharine Drexel formerly (St. Roberts) in Chester, volunteering their time to support church administration and fundraising activities. In 2019Bill and Mary moved to Chestnut Ridge at Wallingford, a life-care community.
Bill’s life was a testament to service, dedication, and love. He served his country with honor, excelled academically, and contributed generously to his church and community. He deeply loved his wife and family, especially his nieces and nephews, who admired and respected him for his kindness and willingness to help others. Bill’s legacy is one of compassion, commitment, and a life well lived—he was a man who loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.
The families would like to thank Selena Cheng and the Caregivers at Chestnut Ridge, Lisa Shaak, Noel, Dawn, Rob, Dave Fournier and all the Hospice Caregivers and Nurses from Compassionate Care Hospice as well as Joe Charley from Veteran’s Last Patrol who provided love and care for our uncle.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass on Friday May 8. 2026 at 10:30 AM at St. Katharine Drexel Church 20th and Providence Ave. Chester, PA 19013. Friends may call from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the Church. Interment will follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.
In Lieu of Flowers Donations may be made to: Compassionate Care Hospice 600 N. Jackson Street, Suite 103 Media, PA 19063 or Veteran’s Last Patrol 140B Venture Blvd Spartanburg, SC 29306
Bill attended St. Michael’s Catholic School and graduated from Chester High School in 1949. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Korean War, stationed on various ships throughout the region. His dedication earned him several honors, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Occupational Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
After completing his military service in 1956, Bill pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, where he graduated. In 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Moretti, who had a twin sister Josephine. Both sisters married men named Bill in a joint wedding ceremony on September 20, 1958, and the two couples were inseparable throughout their lives.
Bill and Mary spent their 63 years of marriage in the Chester area, surrounded by their large, close-knit Irish and Italian Catholic family. Although they had no children, they cherished their many nieces and nephews and enjoyed frequent family gatherings.
Professionally, Bill worked for many years as an Investment Bank Auditor at Brown Brothers Harriman, America’s oldest private investment bank. Mary also had a long career at First Keystone Bank. The couple were active members of the Springhouse Country Club in Wallingford, where they enjoyed the club’s amenities and traveled often, visiting destinations such as the Jersey shore, Ireland, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. They were also dedicated parishioners at St. Katharine Drexel formerly (St. Roberts) in Chester, volunteering their time to support church administration and fundraising activities. In 2019Bill and Mary moved to Chestnut Ridge at Wallingford, a life-care community.
Bill’s life was a testament to service, dedication, and love. He served his country with honor, excelled academically, and contributed generously to his church and community. He deeply loved his wife and family, especially his nieces and nephews, who admired and respected him for his kindness and willingness to help others. Bill’s legacy is one of compassion, commitment, and a life well lived—he was a man who loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.
The families would like to thank Selena Cheng and the Caregivers at Chestnut Ridge, Lisa Shaak, Noel, Dawn, Rob, Dave Fournier and all the Hospice Caregivers and Nurses from Compassionate Care Hospice as well as Joe Charley from Veteran’s Last Patrol who provided love and care for our uncle.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass on Friday May 8. 2026 at 10:30 AM at St. Katharine Drexel Church 20th and Providence Ave. Chester, PA 19013. Friends may call from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the Church. Interment will follow at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.
In Lieu of Flowers Donations may be made to: Compassionate Care Hospice 600 N. Jackson Street, Suite 103 Media, PA 19063 or Veteran’s Last Patrol 140B Venture Blvd Spartanburg, SC 29306