The Reverend Wilbur B. Sadleir of Camden-Wyoming, Delaware, and formerly of Westhampton Beach, died on Saturday, December 27, at the Milford Hospice Center in Milford, Delaware. He was 85.
Born on December 16, 1923, in Westhampton to Theodore Willis Sadleir Sr. and Margaret Elsie Warner Sadleir, he was a veteran of World War II who served in the United States Army and Merchant Marine as a surgical technician. He was a graduate of Westhampton Beach High School, the University of Maine, and Bangor Theological Seminary.
Mr. Sadleir retired in 1986 after 35 years as a minister for the United Church of Christ and Congregational churches in Melrose, Haverhill, Palmer, Mansfield, and Feeding Hills, Massachusetts.
Known as “Reverend Bill” by his parishioners, he founded a youth exchange program known as Operation Friendship. He was especially skilled at coordinating fund-raising dinners for various organizations and was a founding member of the Westhampton Beach Historical Society. He was also an avid antique collector.
After retirement, he lived for many years with his wife in the Stevens homestead in Westhampton Beach, where he spent many hours tending to his gardens. He frequently provided floral arrangements for the altar at the Beach United Methodist Church in Westhampton Beach.
Mr. Sadleir is survived by a daughter, Yvette Rowles of Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania; two sons, Ted Sadleir of Westhampton and Bruce Sadleir of Camden-Wyoming, Delaware; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Yvonne (née Stevens); a brother, Theodore Jr.; and a sister, Dorothy Goodman.
A private graveside service and interment was held at the Westhampton Cemetery on January 8, with Reverend Richard Allen, formerly of the Beach United Methodist Church and currently pastor at the Sayville United Methodist Church, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Westhampton Beach Historical Society, 115 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 would be appreciated by the family.
on Jan 14, 2009