MAGNOLIA - William Abbott passed away peacefully, Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at home.
Mr. Abbott was born June 4, 1922, in Marcus Hook, Pa.
In his early career, Mr. Abbott worked as a truck driver, then as a diesel truck mechanic, later becoming a manager for several trucking companies in lower Pennsylvania and New Jersey. After retiring he began working with a few of the harness racing farms in the area and also delivering for Easton Auto Parts both of which he loved.
In the early 1970's he and his wife became owners of Standardbred harness race horses. He was a former trainer as well, holding training licenses in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Mr. Abbott was a former member of the U.S. Trotting Association and the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association. He was a Washington Redskins fan as well as a Philadelphia Phillies fan. He enjoyed all motorsports and loved boating, fishing, baseball and football.
Mr. Abbott was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Margaret; his son, William; his parents, William M. Abbott and step-mother, Jenny Abbott Grasser, and mother, Ellen McLauglin; as well as four brothers and a sister.
He is survived by his daughters, Linda Arcaro (Andrew), of Hebron, Md., Margaret Windle of Hartly, Elizabeth Pleasanton (Andrew), of Townsend, Beatrice Cook (Kevin), of Magnolia, and Rebecca Barber (Larry) of Winter Haven, Fla.; brothers, Charles McLaughlin (Natalie), of Aston, Pa., and John McLaughlin (Joyce), of Chester, Pa.; sister-in-law, Dorothy McLaughlin, of Ocean City, N.J.; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Rd. (Rt.10), Dover. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to: DE Standardbred Owners Association, Scholarship Fund, 830 Walker Road, Suite 11-2, Dover, DE 19904. Please note donations, in memory of William Abbott.
Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com