William Z. Suplee III | Securities broker, 77

William Z. Suplee III, 77, of Malvern, a securities broker, died Friday at Paoli Hospital of a stroke.

In 1961, Mr. Suplee joined his father's brokerage in Philadelphia and eventually became a partner. He later was a broker for other firms and was currently with Willow Financial in Devon.

A graduate of Yeadon High School, he worked in sales at National Publishing Co. in Philadelphia for several years. He was a 10-year veteran of the Army Reserve.

Mr. Suplee was past president of the Bond Club of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Securities Association.

He was a governor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and was a governor and arbitrator for the Association of Securities Dealers.

For 30 years, he served on the board of the Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia.

He was also on the board of the Garrett Williamson Foundation for needy children and mothers, and was chairman of the board of Mercy Haverford Hospital.

He was a skilled do-it-yourselfer, his daughter Gwen Rodgers said, and built a home in Lansdowne and furniture for his children and grandchildren.

Mr Suplee is also survived by his wife of 56 years, Anne Carpenter Suplee; daughters Michelle McWilliams, Stephanie Dey and Pamela Brechbiel; a son, William IV; a sister; a brother; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. today at Paoli Presbyterian Church, 225 S. Valley Rd., Paoli, where Mr. Suplee was a trustee. Friends may call at 4 p.m.