Date of death: 10/18/2020
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1955
William R. Raney of Riddle Village Retirement Community, Media, Pa. formerly of Newtown Square, peacefully passed away Sunday, October 18, 2020 with family by his side. He would have turned 92 in December. He was the beloved husband of Stella F. (nee Ferri) Raney to whom he was married 70 years, and loving father of Deborah L. (Charles) Fisher, Michael R. (Dianne) Raney, and M. Elizabeth (Larry) Friis.
Bill was a devoted grandfather to seven; Michael (Liane) Fisher, Kristina (Gregory) McDonald, Stephen (Annie) Fisher, Ryan Taylor, Jamie Taylor, Abigail (Nico) Pesci, and Emily (James) Sonnenberg.
He is also beloved by his 20 great grandchildren; Charlie, Zachary, and William Fisher; Hailey Taylor; Kierstyn Weir; Ellie, Dean, Amelia and Vivian McDonald; Franklin, Hudson, and Charlie Fisher; Aysa and Rowan Malloy and Kyler Sonnenberg; Lilliana, Nicolas, and Stella Pesci; and Landon and Ty Sonnenberg. He is the brother of Mary Catherine (Roy) Anderson Cox of Indianapolis and preceded in death by a brother Joseph and sister Phyllis Quackenbush. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who had a significant role in his life.
Bill was born December 31, 1928 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Raymond and Mary Elizabeth (nee Kirk) Raney. After an honorable discharge from the United States Navy, Bill moved to Pennsylvania where he wooed a beautiful Philadelphia girl with his dance moves and winning smile, and her big Italian family with his jokes. He married his sweetheart Stella, attended college, and graduated from the Museum School of Art. He continued his education at Temple University and Cabrini College where he earned a Master’s Degree in Education. His combined talents, patience and irrepressible spirits made him a popular teacher with students and coworkers alike at Cedarbrook and Ogontz Jr. High Schools in the Cheltenham School District, where he taught Art for 37 years.
The only thing bigger than Bill’s heart was his smile, which was infectious. He was the life of the party and could find humor in any situation. It didn’t matter who you were, Bill would make you laugh. And he loved nothing more than making people laugh. Any place, any gathering was more fun if he were there.
Always full of plans and ideas, he was a craftsman who could build anything he envisioned. He was resourceful; if he didn’t know how, he would figure it out. Using his talents and on-the-job developed skills, he built the home in which he and Stella raised their family, as well as a home in the mountains where extended family could gather and spend time together. Many years of laughter and memories were made in those homes.
After retiring from teaching, Bill spent 19 years as the popular property manager at Martin’s Dam Club, a job he loved. He was always on the go, whether biking, sailing, canoeing, skiing, building or tinkering. He was an active member of the Buck Ridge Ski Club for many years. He loved keeping his mind agile too and was an inquisitive and avid reader.
Bill and Stella were drawn to dance floors like moths to a flame. They loved dancing together, never missing an opportunity to cut a rug.
His big personality, patient ways, kind and curious nature, and most of all his smile, will be missed by all that knew him.