William “Bill” A. Wilson

WILSON

William “Bill” A., age 90, deceased April 7, 2024, of Newtown Square, PA, formerly of (Media, PA., Charlotte NC, Palm Beach Fla, Sailfish Point Fla, Avalon NJ, Syracuse NY, Hartford Ct…and elsewhere).

Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years -Nancy J. (nee Roberta) Wilson, his three children -William T. (Charlotte), Christine R. Corbo, Craig F. Ryan. His seven grandchildren – Stephen A. & Caroline N. Corbo, {Michelle, Jeffrey, Keith (Renee), William (Elizabeth), Sasha- Wilson}, his two great-grandchildren, Kaylee and William Wilson, and his sister, Nancy Bowker- (late Louis), and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Rita (nee Carman) and William Wilson, and his brother, James J. Wilson.

Bill was born in South Philadelphia on Sept 23, 1933. He grew up in the Glenolden area of Pa and graduated from Glen Nor High School and went on to join the service. As an Army Veteran during the Korean War, he was stationed in Texarkana, Tx.

After his years in the service Bill obtained a degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University. He simultaneously worked for Westinghouse Electric Co in Exton Pa and Charlotte N.C. for 26 years – (from 1951-1978) in executive plant management, with a perfect record of attendance. While there he also received an Executive MBA from Harvard University in Business Management.

He left Westinghouse in 1978 and went to become President of Pollution Control Systems and Director of Corporate Development at Wheelabrator-Frye Corp. in Pittsburgh, PA.

In 1981 he went to work for United Technologies Corporation – first at their corporate Headquarters in Hartford Connecticut, then he went on to be President of Otis Elevator’s Latin American Operations and then to Otis’ European Transatlantic Operations based out of Paris, France. After 2 years at Otis’s European headquarters in Paris he then transferred back to the states in 1984 and became the CEO of Carrier Corporation in Syracuse, New York. He was the CEO of Carrier until he retired in 1991. After his retirement he consulted for and participated on different companies’ boards.

Always a self-made man, from his humble beginnings he was tremendously focused and hard working which resulted in extraordinary success at all levels of his career. He never stopped learning and educating himself and his motto throughout his life was .. ’Genius is 99% hard work’.

He met his wife Nancy while they both worked at Westinghouse and they built an extraordinary life together, they travelled all over the world, jetting across continents from Asia, Africa, N. & S. America, Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and more. They built numerous homes in every location his work led them to and generously entertained family and friends all of their lives. He stood alongside some of the greatest business leaders and philanthropists of the late 20th century while working for United Technologies and the experiences were nothing less than extraordinary.  At the same time, folks would see him working in his ripped painters pants and beat up baseball cap at any of his homes, painting or

doing yard work and they would think he was hired help -an image he was thoroughly comfortable with.

His success never went to his head, he had humility and generosity to spare and had time for everyone. He shared his experiences and taught his children and grandchildren by his example how to approach life from the most optimistic perspective, with focus, hard work and study to reach for and achieve their dreams.

Relatives & friends are invited to his Viewing Friday, April 12th 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM followed by his Funeral Service 11:30 AM at the DAnjolell Memorial Home of Broomall, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall PA 19008.

Contributions in William’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org

www.danjolell.com

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