William J. "Bill" Dougherty, age 86 of Springfield, PA, died peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on April 7, 2020.  He was the beloved husband of Ethel Marie (née McCullough) for 56 years.  William was born in West Philadelphia to the late William J. and Margaret (née McBrerty) Dougherty and was a proud graduate of West Catholic High School, Class of 1951.  After serving in the U.S. Army and traveling the country while performing in the Ice Capades, he obtained his B.S.E.E. from Villanova University in 1962 and his M.S.E.E. from Drexel Institute of Technology (Drexel University) in 1968.  Mr. Dougherty enjoyed a long career beginning as a Design Engineer with General Electric in their Reentry Vehicle Division.  He went on to work for Honeywell as a Sr. Design Engineer in Process Control and finally retired after 10 years as a Sr. Electrical Engineer with Lockheed Martin.

Mr. Dougherty formerly lived in Drexel Hill before he and Ethel moved to Lansdowne and later settled in Springfield to raise their family.  A man of great faith, William was a member of St. Kevin's Catholic Church. He attended daily mass, was an usher and rosary leader, and served as a CCD teacher and a member of the Home & School Association.  Mr. Dougherty was a contributor to the Springfield Press and volunteered as a THL coach.

As a young man, William's father was his figure skating teacher. He worked at Lansdowne Ice and Coal and his hours of free practice brought him to his employment in the Ice Capades. As a father, Bill took his children to skate from an early age and Bill Jr. became passionate about ice hockey. When Bill Jr. played for O'Hara, his dad never missed a game. After his passing, William attended games frequently and until last year attended the O'Hara annual Hockey Banquet to award the recipient of the Bill Dougherty Memorial Award. "Pop-pop" also enjoyed attending his grandchildrens' ice hockey and baseball games, and other sporting events.

In recent years, Mr. Dougherty enjoyed bowling in the Mens' Senior League at Sproul Lanes, and his teammates became good friends to him. Bill spent many Friday evenings dining at Anthony's with Ethel and his cherished friends the McGuires. They spent 40 years of Christmas get-togethers with each other's families. Every Wednesday night was dinner at "Mom-mom and Pop-pop's" with his children and grandchildren, always beginning with a prayer.

Most important to William was his family and his love of Ethel, his wife of 56 years, who also shared his love of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist at daily mass. He lived to glorify God in all aspects of his life as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and in serving his church, community, and country.

Mr. Dougherty was preceded in death by his son, William "Bill" Dougherty, Jr. (d. 1988).

In addition to his wife, Ethel, Mr. Dougherty is survived by his children, Regina Dougherty (Ennio Magnarelli) of Media, PA, Anne McGreal (Mark) of Collingdale, PA, and Christopher "Chris" Dougherty of Philadelphia, PA.  He was the proud grandfather of Ryan Little, Gerald "Jerry" Worley, Courtney McGreal, Jacqueline "Jacki" Magnarelli, Amanda "Mandee" McGreal, and Lauren Magnarelli. He also recently became the great-grandfather of Heath Giusto.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Magdalen Church.  Burial: SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery. All services will be held privately by invitation only.

In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor. ( www.littlesistersofthepoor.org )

Arr. Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home
15 E. Fourth St.
Media, PA 19063
www.haganfuneralhome.com

Please take a moment to sign the online guest book.  While the public health crisis prevents us from publicly gathering to celebrate the life of Mr. Dougherty, you can show your support through a note, a memory, or a prayer.  Your words of remembrance will be cherished.