William W. "Bubs" Wenhold

William W. “Bubs” Wenhold, of Sellersville, formerly a long-time resident of Perkasie, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, in Phoebe Richland Health Care Center, Richlandtown. He had celebrated his 97th birthday on October 22.

He was the beloved husband of the late Florence V. (Detweiler) Wenhold for 47 years until her death in 1988.

Born in Perkasie, he was the son of the late William B. and Florence C. (Gerhart) Wenhold. At the height of the Depression, Bubs left school for several years to help support his family. Returning to Sell-Perk High School, he graduated in 1936.

Mr. Wenhold was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.

Interrupted only by his military service, Bubs had been employed for over 42 years with the former U. S. Gauge Division, Ametek, Inc., Sellersville. He retired in 1981.

Mr. Wenhold was a long-time, active member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sellersville, where he had served as an usher, a counter, and a greeter. He had also worked on the kitchen committees, Christmas bazaars and had been involved with the men’s group.

In 1950, Bubs was one of many men of the church who helped to excavate, wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow, a basement recreation/social hall. He had also volunteered with church-sponsored disaster relief efforts.

Mr. Wenhold was a 50 year member of the Sellersville Church and Cemetery Corporation, serving as president until his retirement in 2007.

He had donated blood several times a year at the U. S. Gauge-sponsored Red Cross Blood Drives, winning several citations for lifetime donation quantities. Told at age 80 that he was no longer permitted to donate, he grumbled that his blood was perfectly fine, and “they” did not know what they were losing out on.

Known to one and all as Bubs, he enjoyed walking in the park, often hiking more than 10 miles a day, well into his 90’s. He also loved to drive and to attend car shows. He and his wife had traveled through all the East Coast states and Canada.

He had enjoyed gardening and maintaining his beloved property on the Ridge Road, Perkasie. He especially loved going out to eat at area diners with his many friends and son-in-law. He also enjoyed “birding” with a friend who maintained a flock of homing pigeons…yet another good reason to hit the road and enjoy early morning breakfasts.

Blessed with a near encyclopedic memory of local history, Bubs was a cherished resource to area historical organizations and a favorite storyteller to all who enjoyed his astonishing recall. He was also a voracious reader, reading three newspapers a day and as many as six books a week until early this year.

In 2011, with his surviving friends from the Sell-Perk Class of 1936, Bubs enjoyed his 75th high school reunion.

A simple man of modest aspirations, he enjoyed an extraordinary life.

Mr. Wenhold is survived by his daughter, Martha A. Steeley, and her husband, James D., of Sellersville; one sister, Grace Wenhold, of Harleysville; four nieces; six nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lloyd Wenhold; and three sisters: Pearl Moyer, Edna Hoff; and Beulah Taylor.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 18, in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 104 Green Street, Sellersville, PA 18960. Family and friends may call Tuesday at the church, beginning at 10 a.m. until time of service.

Interment with full military honors will follow in Sellersville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at the address above.