William Foster Yarwood, beloved husband, loving father, doting grandfather, and engaging friend, passed peacefully on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026. He left this world as he lived it, on his own terms after having said each goodbye meaningfully and letting everyone in his life know how much he cared for and about them. He touched everyone he met along his 83 years with a kindness that showed he felt he was better for having met them.

Better known as Bill (or Billy to his childhood friends, even into adulthood), he was born and raised in Media, PA where he was a member of First United Methodist Church and graduated from Media High School in 1960. In these formative years, Bill made many friends who he stayed in touch with his entire life. He was a member of his class reunion committee which met often to stay in touch, enjoy each other’s company, and support each other while planning a yearly gathering to share memories. He valued these friendships and held them close to his heart.

Following high school, Bill served in the US Navy from 1960-1963 as an E-5 Sonarman on USS Compton DD-705 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was first stationed in Key West protecting the beaches where sun, sand and water became recurring themes throughout his life.

Following his military service, Bill attended college at Millersville University, which would be the foundation for his identity moving forward. He met Kathy at a school dance and frequently told the story of how beautiful she was. He overcame his nerves to ask her to dance before his friend asked her. That motivation sparked a lifelong relationship filled with a deep and understanding love for each other resting on commitment and intention always with travel and new experiences together to have something to look forward to. Bill missed this connection deeply after Kathy passed in 2020.

Also starting with his time at Millersville, Bill learned to love education. He went on to earn his Masters in Education at West Chester University in 1970 and his Doctorate of Education from Temple University in 1988. He would frequently acknowledge that he did not do well in his own schooling through high school, but his experience at MU showed him that college could be a turning point for those who wanted to further their education, and he dedicated his professional career to helping students find their right path to pursue their individual interests in an environment suiting their needs and skills for their best future. He found joy and satisfaction working with students and their families as well as building lifelong relationships with his colleagues across the country and at the schools where he would work throughout his career, notably Radnor, North Penn, Tredyffrin-Easttown, Moorestown, and Doane Academy. In addition to working in high school guidance and administration, he served as past president of PACAC (Pennsylvania Association of College Admissions Counseling).

Throughout Bill’s life, his heart and soul was happiest connecting with people and being outside. He enjoyed his motorcycles and cars in his early years followed by a passion for sailing in his later years, while capturing memories through photography starting in his teen years into his 80s. With Kathy, they owned a sailboat in Maryland, and they were able to live in Ocean City, NJ where they opened their home to family and friends to share their love of the sea life. Bill always had his guitar or banjo close to him to have sing-alongs by the fire or by the Christmas tree. He loved to shop for the “best deal” and was a master at returning things he didn’t want after all. He would always be open to connecting over food, with ice cream only being a very close second to a good drink. He quietly bragged about his swimming skills in the Navy and was thrilled to watch his grandchildren swim competitively. He was a boy scout and connected with his grandson throughout his time in scouts. He enjoyed tennis with his children when they were teenagers. He connected with his youngest grandchildren through video chats and visiting CA to spend time with them doing their favorite things. Bill had many interests but would meet people in what they enjoyed to see them happy and create memories.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Yarwood and Marie Shields Yarwood, and his brother, Robert Yarwood. Bill is survived by and will continue to live on in memories by his children, Kristie May and Emme Yarwood (Adelaide Papazoglou), and his grandchildren, Sophie May, Jackson May, Alcy Papazoglou Yarwood, and Galen Papazoglou Yarwood, as well as many brothers and sisters by marriage and nieces and nephews.

Bill would not have wanted to be the center of attention, but he did love to share his endearing smile with anyone he encountered. He only ever lived his life to help others find happiness. Please feel free to come remember him with family and friends and share a drink afterward as Bill would have wanted. Services will be held on Friday, May 15th at Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home, 15 E. Fourth St. Media, PA. There will be a visitation from 10:30-11:30 followed by a service at 11:30 am. A family graveside service will be held on Saturday at the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge.

Memorial donations may be made to The Jed Foundation or The Point Foundation.

Arrangements: Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home15 E. Fourth St. Media, PA 19063www.haganfuneralhome.com