Rash's Surname Index
Notes for William Edward LEWIS
W. Edward Lewis, 99, a true servant with a heart of gold, passed away Friday, July 30, 2010, at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.
He was the husband of the late Harriet A. McGirk Lewis, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.
Eddie was born at 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, 1911, to the late William Fillmore Lewis and the late Mary L. Mendenhall Lewis at the family home, 540 S. Adams St. in West Chester (Riggtown). It was severely cold and a snowy night. Eddie's father had to walk the doctor's horse around the block because of the cold. The doctor said, "This boy is dead." His grandmother replied, "He is breathing." So they gave him some whiskey, put him in hot water, wrapped him up and put him into the wood stove oven, and he has been cooking ever since.
His strong work ethic began when he was a young boy while cutting grass for 25 cents an hour. Eddie started serving milk before going to school at age 14 with a horse and wagon for Highland Dairies. He went on to work for Eachus Dairy, driving a Model T truck with no driver's door, no seat and only five days off a year. In 1976, after 43 years and seven months of dedicated service, he retired from Eachus Dairy.
After retirement in 1976, he went on to work for Eagle Reilly at Reilly Funeral Home. Eagle said he would pay Eddie $5 per hour, but Eddie said that was too much and they settled on $3 per hour.
In 1977, Joseph J. DellaVecchia Jr., purchased Reilly Funeral Home, where Eddie continued working and formed a strong family bond with the DellaVecchia family. He dedicated 34 years and was known as a permanent fixture at the front door, by greeting everyone.
While working for the funeral home, he also worked for MacElree Harvey Ltd. law firm for 22 years, forming many fond friendships.
Eddie was a member of First Baptist Church of West Chester, and was co-founder of the Saturday Men's Breakfast at the church. Up until July 24, 2010, he would start his day by getting up at 5:30 a.m. every Saturday to set up tables to feed breakfast to the homeless.
Eddie attended the American Baptist Men of Pennsylvania and Delaware Retreat, which he helped organize for more than 25 years.
His memberships included Uppowoc Tribe 47 — Improved Order of Red Men (more than 80 years), Uppowoc Council 252 Degree of Pocahontas (80 years), Uppowoc Craft 252½ Dairy Maids, lifetime member of the Fame Fire Company No 3. He was also a member of the First West Chester Fire Company and honorary member of Good Will Fire Company, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Telephone Pioneers of America and the Exchange Club, all of West Chester. He was also a member of the West Chester Area Senior Center and the Italian Social Club.
Eddie was always helping people. He was the top ticket seller for many organizations — fire companies, The Chester County Hospital and the West Chester Area Senior Center, to name a few. He also sold tickets for the benefit of the Catholic Sisters of the I.H.M. at Camllia Hall, even though he was a Baptist. Due to his generosity, many organizations made him a lifetime honorary member. He received the highest honor given by the Lions Club and was presented with the key to the Borough of West Chester twice.
Eddie loved sitting on the front porch greeting people and playing SkipBo. He really enjoyed people and making them smile. He was a loving father and grandfather who often said how blessed he was. We were the blessed ones because we had him.
He said he lived by six things: The good Lord gave me a gift to get along with others; a little common sense goes a long way; the reason why I lived so long is because the man upstairs has more for me to do; treat everyone alike; give credit where credit is due; and keep a smile on your face.
Eddie gave himself the nickname of "The Bald Headed Buzzard" while driving the milk truck in Downingtown. He had a lot of fun with his nickname. Many children only knew him by that name. He would give the neighborhood kids a ride in the milk truck, for which they loved him. He was a great kidder, always joking and enjoying life. He will be missed by many.
Eddie is survived by his two sons, Elwood F. Lewis and Richard W. Lewis; daughter, Gertrude Lewis Phillips; six grandchildren, Robert Lewis, Robin Lewis, Glenn Phillips, Renee Phillips Arnold, Lisa Lewis Boyd and Lori Lewis Seltzer; 14 great-grandchildren, Cory Lewis, Angelina, Alyssa, Andrea, and Luke Edward Phillips, Brittany, Jacob, Jocelyn and Justin Arnold, Michael and Katelyn Burdge, Andrew, Gregory and Molly Seltzer; and one great-great-granddaughter; Ava Lynn Arnold. He is also survived by a sister, Violet Reese.
He was predeceased by a brother; Jesse Lewis; and three sisters, Blanche Summers, Mable Lewis and Mary McBride.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home Inc., 410 N. Church St., West Chester, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com.
Interment will be held in Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in King of Prussia.
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