William “Bill” H. Holstein Jr.

After living an active, independent life, William H. Holstein, Jr., age 94, of Wilmington, Delaware, died peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Born in Charlestown, WV, he was the son of the late Aline G. and William H. Holstein, Sr. He attended Mercersburg Academy prior to attending Princeton University, where he graduated cum laude in 1951, receiving a B.S.E. degree in Chemical Engineering. He continued his education at Princeton, earning an M.S. in Chemical Engineering.

Bill met the love of his life, Elizabeth (“Betty”) Higgins on a blind date at the Princeton vs. Harvard football game on Armistice Day (11/11/1950). Princeton routed Harvard 63-26, but more importantly, this was the start of a deep and lasting love between Bill and Betty, who were married in October 1952 in Wilmington.

Bill joined the DuPont Company and worked in Victoria, TX, Arlington, NJ, Wilmington, and Parkersburg, WV, before returning to Wilmington in 1964 to work in the DuPont headquarters, where he remained until his retirement. While at DuPont, he worked in a variety of technical, R&D, production, marketing and financial positions. He received patents on dye stabilizers for the blue-green plastic interlayer found at the top of automobile windshields.

An avid reader, he supported and stressed education throughout his life, instilling its value in his four children; three earned advanced degrees and the other became an educator.

Bill loved baseball. He coached little league baseball for 15 years, allowing him to combine his love of the sport with that for his family. He remained an ardent and loyal Philadelphia Phillies fan throughout the bad as well as the good years. When his children grew up, he remained active by swimming, as well as by playing golf at the DuPont Country Club. But his true love was ballroom dancing with his wife. Bill and Betty became superb ballroom dancers, dazzling onlookers with their mastery of complex dance steps. Bill especially enjoyed big band music, compiling an extensive collection of his and Betty’s favorite ballroom dance tunes.

During their retirement, Bill and Betty enjoyed travel, taking trips to Europe, Canada, Hawaii, and throughout the U.S., including several National Parks. Numerous cruises to the Caribbean and transatlantic voyages provided them with ample opportunity to demonstrate their ballroom dancing skills.

Bill was a 60-year member of the Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic parish. He was active in the Princeton Alumni Association of Delaware, where he served as Secretary and President. He actively followed Princeton sports on TV and radio, especially Tiger football and basketball.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth (“Betty”) H. Holstein, daughter Elizabeth H. Diefenderfer, and mother-in-law Lillian E. Higgins, who resided with Betty and Bill until her passing.

He is survived by his sister, Aline H. Lotter of Manchester, NH. He will be missed by children William L. Holstein (Dorothy) of Hockessin, DE, Robert G. Holstein (Stacy) of Highland Beach, FL, and Barbara H. Patterson (James) of Lansdale, PA; son-in-law Mark L. Diefenderfer of Bloomsburg, PA; grandchildren Laura D. Sturgill (Stephen), Philip R. Diefenderfer, Michelle M. and Stephanie L. Patterson, and Joshua M., Jennifer C., and Rebecca A. Holstein; and great-grandchildren Vivian E. and Oliver C. Sturgill.