William M. Dolan

William M. Dolan was born on March 20, 1963 in Queens, New York, and after a brief illness, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He conducted life with a gentle heart, conveying a sense that he was on your side and in your corner. Bill was well-loved by many; he’ll be dearly missed by all who had the good fortune to call him co-worker, family, and friend.

Bill graduated from Central Bucks West High School in 1981, where he excelled as a top-notch student athlete. He competed all three years on the tennis team, and earned the respect of classmates, coaches, and teachers alike. His academic journey continued at Columbia University, where he majored in physics and rowed on the lightweight crew team. Bill completed his formal education as a graduate student earning a master’s degree in secondary education from Temple University, exemplifying his lifelong dedication to learning and teaching. In between his two degrees Bill lived in Oakland, California where he worked as a waiter for several years. This occupation provided him with the flexibility to travel and explore, including trips through Mexico and Europe. His journey led him back to Pennsylvania, and eventually his career path included nine years as an optical coding technician for Hampton Scientific and twelve years as a supervisor at Burpee Seed Company. 

In addition to his professional accomplishments Bill was a passionate practitioner of tai chi. He developed great mental and physical strength through this discipline, while becoming an active and supportive member of its community. Throughout his personal and professional life Bill's natural curiosity about the world never faded; he was always eager to learn new things and see new places. His love of travel often overlapped with his love of the natural world. Whether exploring the dark skies above Cherry Springs, Pennsylvania and Tonapa, Nevada, or chasing solar eclipses through Ohio and Tennessee his enthusiasm for astronomy was apparent. In his final years Bill traveled to Montreal, Lake Placid, Arizona, Florida, and he had plans to visit other places. He valued experiences over material possessions and never stopped wondering about the world. As Uncle Bill cherished every moment spent with his niece and nephew, Maggie and Sam, taking genuine interest in their endeavors and milestones. He was a fixture at their high school volleyball matches and took great pleasure rooting for the Bucks. He also had a close bond with his sister Jackie and brother-in-law Ben; our Sunday night dinners were a time to enjoy a bottle of Malbec wine and discuss everything from current events to classic rock. Bill's love for family extended to include his sister-in-law Meri Dolan, his niece Chelsea and her husband Chris Mohapp with their children Deacon, Corbin and Lincoln, and many cousins from PA to New York to California, with whom he shared many happy memories.

 Bill was preceded in death by his father William Dolan, his mother Margot Dolan, and his brother Steve Dolan. Though he is greatly missed, the memories of his kind spirit, gentle demeanor, and unwavering curiosity will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. As we remember William Dolan, we celebrate a life that enriched those around him with love, knowledge, and compassion.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 30, 2026, Reed & Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown, where relatives and friends will be received from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  Interment will be private.