William Wolf; loved to learn
William Jesse Wolf, 60, of Lansdale, whose many interests were powered by a thirst for knowledge, died Friday, May 6, of pneumonia at home.
William Jesse Wolf, 60, of Lansdale, whose many interests were powered by a thirst for knowledge, died Friday, May 6, of pneumonia at home.
"Billy," as Mr. Wolf was called, had lived with his sister Deborah since 1991. Before that, he lived in Germantown with his parents, William Jesse Wolf Sr. and Marcella Lyons Wolf.
"He was my best friend," said his sister. "People just loved him."
Born with Down syndrome, Mr. Wolf regularly enchanted his family with his wisdom and sense of humor.
If something interested him, he explored it. He took guitar, fencing, and karate lessons. He also mastered swimming and fishing.
At one point, he toured Hawaii.
Mr. Wolf worked as a helper in his father's upholstery shop. He read constantly and enjoyed spending time with friends, seeing movies, and doing tarot readings. He also loved history, caring for his cats, getting tattoos, and music of all kinds.
"He liked everything, from opera to the rock band Kiss," his sister said.
Before his health began to decline a year ago, Mr. Wolf would often eat lunch with friends. On one such occasion, his sister said, he looked up from his Buffalo chicken cheesesteak and said: 'I'm kind of an iconoclast, you know.'
"He was able to use the word properly. I had to look it up," she said. "He was an amazing person.
"We are all better people, for he enriched our lives with his love and compassion. We will miss his laughter and the delightful sparkle in his eyes," his sister said.
In addition to his sister, he is survived by sisters Barbara Ebersole, Jessica Reddy, and Marlenah Spencer; six nieces; and three nephews. Services will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peaceful Living, 569 Yoder Rd., Harleysville, Pa. 19438, or via www.peacefulliving.org. The nonprofit provides services and a sense of community for those with disabilities.