William Landis Haines

William L. Haines, 84, of Ocean City, NJ, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Hickory House Nursing Home, Honey Brook.  Born in Coatesville, he was the son of the late I. Landis and Lillian R. B. Haines.

Bill grew up in Coatesville and was a graduate of S. Horace Scott High School, received a BS in English from Ursinus College, a MA in American History from Temple University, and an MS in Library and Information Service from Drexel University.  He served as an academic librarian in colleges in New York and Chicago, retiring from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. He lived in Coatesville and Ocean City following his retirement.

Bill was a life member of Olivet Methodist Church and the Coatesville Country Club.  He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force. He was also a member of The American Library Association and many other academic groups.

Books were indispensable to Bill.  He enjoyed concerts, plays, films and especially music! He was known for his annual Christmas letters, detailed summaries of his thoughts and activities.  In his 2002 letter, he related his feelings concerning the death of his beloved mother.  He wrote, "She was in her home where she belonged, surrounded by her things." Bill spent his final years in the same way, living in his condominium overlooking the ocean and the boardwalk. He enjoyed sitting on his balcony with his caregiver, John, who he loved and considered a part of his family.

He is survived by his cousins, Cheryl (Sherry) Brown Laub, Susan (Bob) Brown Kelshaw, Stephen Brown, Kevin (Patty) Brown, his dear friend, Sandra Kreiss-Schmidt, and his loving caregiver, John Gorman.  He was preceded in death by his fiance, Betty Page Garman Russell.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. from the Wilde Funeral Home, Parkesburg, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Interment and military honors will follow at Upper Octorara Cemetery, Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com