Obituary of William M. Pownall

William M. Pownall, age 81 died on November 1, 2007 at Hahnemann Hospital, Philadelphia. Born in Philadelphia, raised in Pitman, he graduated Pitman High School in 1943 where he played football and basketball. He was in the ROTC Program in Syracuse, NY and in 1944 he entered active duty in the Army. Bill landed in France during WWII on his 19th birthday, was wounded in the Battle of Colmer in 1945 and received the Purple Heart. He graduated from Gettysburg College in 1950 and received ROTC Commission. In 1965 he achieved Distinguished Rifleman's Badge, the highest award in competitive rifle marksmanship. He was a longtime member of the II Corps Rifle Team and rated by the NRA as Lifetime Master. He was a graduate of General Army and Command School in Ft. Levenworth. He retired from the Army Reserves as Lt. Colonel in 1976. Where ever army reserve duty was, he traveled with his entire family. Many family summer vacations were spent on Army Bases. He was awarded Meritorious Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star, and Expert Badge. He owned the Pitman News Agency since taking over from his father R.M. Pownall in 1950. He retired from newspaper delivery in 1985 but remained involved in the retail business until the last few months. He was a member of the Pitman Business Assn., American Legion, Pitman Memorial VFW Post #6469. Bill was also a member of Pitman Rotary since 1950, where he was president in 1962 and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was the husband of 55 years to the late Marjorie A. (nee Andrew). Survived by children Douglas R. (Cynthia), Suzanne E. Pownall, Ann P (Richard) Matchett, Virginia P. Hopkins all of Pitman, grandchildren Melissa, Megan, Andrew, Kyle, Tim, Alec, Jeff, Evan and Anna. Friends may call on Sunday after 7pm in the KELLEY FUNERAL HOME, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ and Monday after 10am in the Pitman United Methodist Church, Lambs Rd. and Broadway, Pitman NJ. Funeral service 11am. Interment Gloucester Co. Veteran's Cem. Contributions to the Pitman United Methodist Church Mem. Fund, PO Box 7, Pitman, NJ 08071.