It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather (Poppie), William C. Seidel, who left us on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the age of 86. He died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family.

I must first start by saying this, fathers in all their forms—from biological to stepfathers or just father figures—leave a unique imprint on our lives. When the time comes to pen an obituary for a father, there are a staggering array of emotions and memories that make it challenging to find just the right words... That being said, my father served as all the above to many who will read this.

William, fondly known as Bill or even "Mr. Green Jeans", as he was rarely seen not dressed in his Dickie greens from head to toe, was born to Carl and Mary Seidel, on December 28, 1937, in Yonkers, New York. He lived in New York until age 15 before being sent by his mother to Pa to work on their uncle's farm in Hilltown, PA where they would milk 50 cows daily and farm tomatoes for Campbell's Soup. At age 19 Bill took on a job with a local butcher, S. Ralph Lengel in addition to his farm work. The following year at age 20 he would start working night shift for Frank Weaver Steel in Lansdale PA as he was an exemplary welder.  Soon thereafter he bought a garage / car wash in the heart of Silverdale. PA where he conducted car repairs, inspections, rebuilt cars, engines, hot rods, etc. for another 18-20 plus years.  However always working multiple jobs in addition too, the garage was night work.  There would be stints at Blooming Glen Quarry and Haines & Kibblehouse before entering the Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 in 1979 working for Harlow Inc. for 11 years and then out of the Union Hall until retirement.  A couple of his last jobs prior to retirement at age 72 were digging the foundations for Liberty One and Two and excavating Citizens Bank Park in the City of Philadelphia. Inclusive of Bill's garage / car wash purchase were 2-3 large capacity water wells making him the proud owner of a utility, to be named Seidel's Water Company. The wells supplied water to roughly 25 homes at the time of purchase, Bill and his wife became certified plumbers and together with children grew the company, to serve over 70 plus homes before community growth and issues with the wells forced the sale to HTWSA in 1987.

Bill adored his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and spent any time afforded him to be with them.  There were rides on tractors, gators, backhoes, loaders and 4 wheelers, he rebuilt a sharp 66, Nova with his son, built go-karts, provided mini bikes & snowmobiles all things motorized much to our Mother's chagrin.  There were simple trips for ice-cream, to a fun-filled day at Knoebels or the farm show or just drives to / from school or softball / soccer practice. He would proudly watch them play sports and offer his expertise after the game as he was an excellent coach. He stepped in to coach his daughter's Deep Run Softball Team from last to first and then coached the traveling team to a championship. He was a master at checkers, never to be beaten, you wanted to play him just for the challenge.  If there were no physical card or board games present, he would invent his own games inside or out to play with the children. His grandchildren viewed him as a true playmate. "Poppie" was a jovial, mammoth figure of a role model, teacher, historian, storyteller and mentor sharing his wisdom and experience with the younger generations.

While we lost our beloved dad, many have lost a friend and loved one in him. He has been a rock to many, always a straight shooter, a wealth of knowledge, a master at sarcastic humor, a "creative" name caller and a glorious pain in the neck, to what I'm sure is a small select few (because no matter what happened between you and him in your lives, once you were marked as important to him, he'd be by your side if you needed him)! There was so much more to him than just dad, though to us that was his greatest role - he was also a stand-in paternal figure to the fatherless, (took his adopted son to the World's Fair) brother, (bought his sister a Dodge 409) a cousin, a friend, a coworker, colleague, the list goes on and on...

Upon his retirement Bill could often be found tinkering in his pole barn refurbishing yet another vintage series 30' John Deere Tractor to add to his collection. There were only two colors for a tractor and they were John Deere Green and Yellow!  He was an avid collector of John Deere Vintage tractors, partial to the 30 series.  He joined the local John Deere 2-cylinder club and through the years could be seen driving those vintage tractors in the local holiday parades. Family found it amusing that he went from 850HP to less than 100HP, as in his early years he was an avid racing enthusiast, from the local tracks of Hatfield, Nazareth, Langhorne n Reading (where you would find him working in the pits on car #7 Freddy Adams) to the NASCAR circuit and while he still followed the racing world 2-cylinder tractors had become his first love.

Bill loved dogs, there was always one present in our home growing up until the passing of his beloved Vizsla Toby.  The loss of Toby prevented the acquisition of another four-legged companion. He would then keep a box of dog biscuits in his truck for all pups he may come across in his travels and although not always the best decision, he would sneak whatever he was eating under the table for family member pups when a guest for dinner at their home.

He was preceded to heaven by his beloved wife of 53 years Esther Seidel, a son, John Lee Seidel, mother, Mary Seidel, and father, Carl H. Seidel, many aunts, uncles, cousins, additional family and close friends.

Bill is survived by his two children, son Todd William Seidel, wife Carol, granddaughter Madison Seidel, granddaughter Sydney Seidel, daughter Letitia Seidel Alderfer/Gruver, husband Brian Gruver, granddaughter Ta'ne Hassett, husband Steven Hassett, great grandson Logan Hassett, great grandson Parker Hassett, great granddaughter Esther Hassett, grand-pup Ryker, granddaughter Rachel Alderfer, partner Justin Renner, grand-puppies Luna and Zoey, brother Carl H Seidel II, wife Joan, sister Marie Margiewicz, sister Sarah Nolan, husband Russell and too many cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews to name.

He is also survived by his wife and three of 4 children from his first marriage, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. They include former wife and mother of children Barbara Cavanaugh, son William Seidel, son Thomas Seidel, wife Tesha, granddaughter Jacqueline Scandlin, husband Jeremy, great grandson Jason Scandlin, great granddaughter Keira Scandlin,  granddaughter Carissa Seidel, great granddaughter Olivia Kondrosky and great grandson Jaxson Narvez; daughter Ilona Hummel, husband Ryan, great grandson Chase Heimerdinger, great grandson Roman Hummel and Thomas Seidel Jr.(TJ), partner Gia Fornara, daughter Lori Hacker, granddaughter Caitlin Hacker, and grandson Reed Hacker.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 100 Broad Street, HIlltown, PA, where family and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Our Lady of Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Hilltown.

Arrangements are by the Suess-Gahman Funeral Home & Crematory, 606 Arch Street, Perkasie, PA.

Memorial donations can be made to:

St. Luke's VNA Hospice, Attn: Development – 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem PA 18015 Ways to
Give | Make a Donation | American Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give
The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms.

Dear Daddy,

Writing this was difficult as I mourn your loss, but I must also celebrate the incredible life you lived. I am remembering the countless memories filled with love and laughter I've so enjoyed.  Your spirit will forever be a part of me, guiding me through life's challenges and reminding me to cherish every moment.

Your legacy will forever live on through the countless lives you touched and the lessons you taught me.

I find comfort in knowing that You and Mom are now together and at peace, watching over me from above. Your memories are forever etched in my heart, and I carry your love with me always.  Thank you for being the best father I could have asked for. Love and Miss You Always and Forever… Letitia