William Joseph Jekot

William Joseph Jekot, age 85, of Malvern, PA, passed away on November 21, 2023.

Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1938, he was the son of the late Stanley T. and Stella Margaret (née Osik) Jekot.

William was a 1952 graduate of Saint Adelbert Grade School Port Richmond, Philadelphia, PA, a 1956 graduate of Northeast Catholic High School Philadelphia, PA and a 1960 graduate of LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA.

Bill was in ROTC at LaSalle University, served in the Army Artillery, and had a “Hardship Transfer” to Fort Dix, NJ to complete his Army service after the death of his first wife, Barbara, and their unborn, second child. To complete his service at Fort Dix, NJ, Bill returned to his parents’ home with his first born son, Billy. Then, Bill’s friend and neighbor, Barbara Bartkowski Oldenhoff, introduced Bill to her Penn State college roommate, Bernadette Hoey. Bill and Bernadette married and lived in Bensalem, PA with Billy, Jackie, Chris, and John. Bill then served in the Army Reserves for eight years. In 1962, Bill was hired by the US Navy and worked at the Aviation Supply Office (ASO) in Philadelphia, PA until his retirement in January 1996. During Bill’s work as a Contracting Officer at ASO, Bill and his section brought down the Grumman F-14 Tom Cat into production in the 1970’s. Bill served his country well. Throughout Bill’s life, and especially in his career, Bill mentored many people who succeeded and advanced their careers with Bill’s wise and patient guidance.

Bill married Elizabeth Murphy in October 2008. They resided in Malvern, PA. They just enjoyed each other's company being at home. Bill loved teaching Elizabeth "all things sports". Bill and Elizabeth loved going "down the shore".

Bill was proud of his Polish Heritage. He read, wrote, and spoke Polish. Bill was a devout Roman Catholic whose strong faith, Bill often said, sustained him throughout his life. Without his faith, Bill said he would never have made it through his life. Bill always had a rosary in his pocket.

Family came First and Foremost, ALWAYS! Bill often said that for his children, he always strove to “lead by example”. Supporting and championing all of his children and grandchildren in all ways, their pursuits in life, education, sports, and work, was a priority. He was a great Dziadzi to his grandchildren.

Bill was a lifelong Philadelphia Sports Teams Supporter: Philadelphia Athletics, Phillies, Eagles, 76’ers and Flyers. As a boy, Bill sat next to Connie Mack watching baseball games. Bill and his son, Billy, were at the game at the Spectrum when the Flyers won the Stanley Cup in 1974! Bill was a runner for many years. Bill was in the first Broad Street Run in Philadelphia, PA. Bill looked forward to Thursday night Poker games, playing for nickels, “with the guys and Thursday Night Football games, the Phillies games, the Flyers games, or the 76er’s games in the background on the Big Screen TV”.

Kostek, Bill’s Polish Cat, and Bill were “Boys together”. Kostek is a spoiled, 20-pound, ONLY CAT!!  Bill and Kostek LOVED each other. Kostek often slept next to Bill each night so Bill could rub his belly. Kostek always sat close to Bill wherever Bill was sitting at home.

Bill enjoyed crossword puzzles and Sudoku. He loved to travel, especially to spend time “down the shore” in Ocean City, NJ with his family. Bill adored Sunday afternoon dinners with his family at the Anchorage in Somers Point, NJ.

William was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (née Murphy) Jekot; loving father of Jacqueline Martina Jekot Cox (Robert Cox), Christina Maria Jekot Doyle (Matthew Doyle), John Stanley Jekot (Jennifer Moyer Jekot), and the late William Kevin Jekot, and step-father of Sandra Therese Selby (Michael Feigenson); caring grandfather of William Alston Cox, Robert Stanley Cox, Kelly Marlena Jekot, Margaret Rose Doyle Rescavage (Chase), Katelyn Bernadette Jekot, Julie Louise Jekot, and Jillian Anastasia Jekot, and step-grandfather of Anna Basha Feigenson, Maxwell Eoin Feigenson, and Andrew Finn Feigenson; dear brother of Anastasia (Stacy) Jekot Cymerman; caring uncle of Joseph Stanley Cymerman and David Antoni Cymerman. William was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara (née Gordon) Jekot, and his second wife, Bernadette Rose (née Hoey) Jekot.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 10:00-11:00 AM Thursday, November 30, 2023 at St. Patrick Church, 104 Channing Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed here, starting at 11 AM: https://youtube.com/live/sfmYzypvISs?feature=share. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org/, or to the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), 642 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, https://www.pcacares.org/, would be appreciated.