VLS Mourns Alumnus William Mowatt '59
It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of alumnus, William E. Mowatt '59, of Media, Pennsylvania, formerly of Havertown and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Emerald Isle, North Carolina on December 28, 2012, at the age of 78.
Mowatt received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University in 1956. Thereafter, he attended Villanova Law School on a full scholarship, graduating second in his class in 1959. In addition, he served with the United States Army Reserve and the Pennsylvania National Guard. Mowatt established a private law practice in Media, and was very active in community associations and the Democratic party in Delaware County.
In 1978, he joined Pennsylvania Rural Electric Cooperative (PREA) in Harrisburg, PA, as General Counsel, later serving as Senior Vice President, Director of Governmental Affairs and eventually as the companies 3rd President after 18 years of service. Mowatt retired as President of PREA in 1997.
Following his retirement, Mowatt moved with his wife, Patricia A. Ryle (Patty), to Emerald Isle, North Carolina, but remained a die-hard fan of the Phillies, Eagles and Villanova Basketball teams (even when they broke his heart).
After Patty's passing in January 2011, Mowatt returned to Pennsylvania to be closer to his family. He resided at Riddle Village in Media, PA, until his death.
Former husband of Margaret (Peggy) Connelly Mowatt and the late Patricia (Patty) A. Ryle Mowatt, he is survived by his sons, William (Ted) Edmond Mowatt, Jr. (Jennifer) and Matthew Robertson Mowatt (Kathleen), and daughters Maureen Mowatt (Kevin) and Dyann Mowatt Roth, two brothers Ronald Mowatt, Jr. (Ann) and Robert M. Mowatt (Melinda) 9 grandchildren, 4 nephews, a niece and his parrot, Dora.
Services were held on January 5, 2013 in Havertown, PA and a "Celebration of Life" on January 10 at McGrath's Pub in Harrisburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Mowatt's name to one of the following organizations: the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.
