William E. "Bill/Skip" Westbrook, Sr.

William E. “Bill/Skip” Westbrook, Sr., age 92, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Born in Tyrone, PA on December 26, 1932, he was a son of the late William L. and Helen (Shawly) Westbrook. Bill was a graduate of Tyrone High School with the class of 1951, where he wrestled and played football. In 1950, he began serving in the Pennsylvania National Guard and transferred to the Delaware National Guard in 1952. Bill dedicated 42 years of service before retiring in 1992. In addition to the National Guard, he also worked at Gardner’s Peanut Store and General Motors. A talented musician, Bill enjoyed playing the guitar, banjo, ukelele, harmonica, and Jew’s harp. He was a member of Kingswood United Methodist Church and served as a youth group counselor and trustee. Bill was also a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 603 as well as the American Legion. He was a handyman who liked to tinker with things, and enjoyed creating pictures out of reclaimed lath wood. Bill could often be found making wine and beer as well. He loved to go bowling and riding his bike, in addition to constructing his own double and triple bikes. Bill had a great sense of humor and always had a joke to tell. Most of all, he cherished his grandchildren and the time he spent with them. Bill loved playing in the pool with them and sang in talent shows with them. He was more than just a grandfather to his granddaughter, Angela, who he stepped up to be a surrogate father to when his son, Scott was deployed overseas. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his siblings, Carol Baum (Jim), Nancy Westbrook, and Charles Westbrook (Deanna); son-in-law, Frank Pragg; and great-granddaughter, Lily McElhaney. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Mary I. (Wagner) Westbrook; brother, Ronald Westbrook (Selena); children, Deborah Pragg, William Westbrook Jr. (Janet), and Scott Westbrook (Michelle); daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Westbrook; grandchildren, Matt Pragg (Lisa), Dwayne Pragg, Aileen McElhaney (Shawn), Derrick Westbrook (Mindy), Sara Westbrook, and Angela Westbrook; and great-grandchildren, Kylie Pragg, Cambria Westbrook, Rory McElhaney, and Zoe McElhaney. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 pm until 4 pm on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Kingswood United Methodist Church, 300 Marrows Road, Newark, DE 19713, where a funeral service will begin at 4 pm. Interment will be held privately in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to Kingswood United Methodist Church, at the address listed above; or to AccentCare Hospice, 17855 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75287 or online by clicking here.

William E. "Bill/Skip" Westbrook, Sr.

December 26, 1932 - April 16, 2025