Obituary of William Phelan

William Thomas Phelan, 80, passed away on October 15 th , 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on August 28 th , 1941, in New York City. He was the son of Helen Brennan Phelan and Daniel A. Phelan. Bill was a graduate of Loyola high school in Baltimore, Maryland, and Villanova University where he majored in Economics, and was also a member of the first Lacrosse team. After college, Bill served in the United States Navy aboard the USSR Roosevelt for three years. He began his career in sales working for Owens Corning Fiberglass for 33 years. In the course of those years, he worked in many different positions, in numerous locations across the country. He was a member of the Chairman’s Club of Owens Corning and retired as a National Sales Manager. In 2000, he and his wife Deborah moved to Amelia Island, Florida. He soon put his leadership skills to work and served as President of the Homeowners Association of Amelia Island Plantation. Bill was a funny storyteller, able to captivate a room full of people, especially about his days at Loyola, Villanova, & Owens Corning. He enjoyed playing golf on Tuesdays at 8AM and loved his early morning walks along the oceanfront. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and its men’s club in Fernandina Beach Florida. Bill is survived by his wife Deborah Ketcham Phelan, three children Michael (Mary) Phelan of New Braunfels, Texas, Keli (Todd) Emmons of Baltimore Maryland, and Kevin Phelan of Denver Colorado. He was the proud and beloved grandfather to Hannah and Liam Emmons of Baltimore, Maryland, Trystan Butler of Houston, Texas. He leaves behind his two stepdaughters Rachel Baldwin of Jacksonville, Florida and Rebecca Bone of Pensacola, Florida. He is survived by his sister Elizabeth Burmaster (Richard) of Deerfield Florida. He was the beloved uncle of five nieces. Mary Beth Speicher of Rochester New York, Patricia Johnson of West Palm Beach Florida, Barbara Field of Durham N.C., Kathleen Manning of Baltimore, Maryland, & Kara Heckler of Denver, Colorado. He also leaves behind his former wife Elizabeth McGuire Phelan of Baltimore Maryland. The family would like to thank Osprey Retreat for their remarkable professionalism and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Loyola, Blakefield, 500 Chestnut Avenue Towson, Maryland 21204.