William Henry Allen, retired engineer

William Henry Allen, 94, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 16, 1920, in Baltimore, Md., son of the late Irene Hand and Grover Cleveland Allen.

Mr. Allen grew up in Columbia, S.C., graduated in 1948 from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He honorably served 66 months in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mr. Allen worked a lifelong career as an engineer working for Westinghouse Electric, Sandia Corporation and the Department of the U.S. Navy.

Prior to retirement, Mr. Allen lived in Baltimore, and was active in youth programs, serving as Scoutmaster, and coaching in Little League baseball, football and wrestling.

Upon retirement in 1981, Mr. Allen moved to Rehoboth Beach, and was active in the community. He served as president of the Lewes Senior Center, held the office of financial aecretary for the Rehoboth NARFE Chapter 1690, and was treasurer of the Rehoboth Bay Tenants Association. Mr. Allen was a member of the Cape Henlopen Senior Center and a parishioner of St. Edmond Catholic Church.

Mr. Allen was an avid reader and bridge player who especially enjoyed vegetable gardening. He was a fan of the Baltimore Ravens and South Carolina Gamecocks. He enjoyed traveling, especially cruising with his lovely wife, Barbara Allen, together sharing 16 cruises. Mr. Allen was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was so proud of all his family's accomplishments and success.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Allen was preceded in death by his sister, Helen Sims. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Barbara (Yazvac) Allen; six children, William Hand Allen, Sandra Marie Heck, John Bene Allen, Mark Stephen Allen, Ronald Jeffrey Allen and Barbara Irene Torino; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m., at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Allen's memory to a charity of your choice.

Please visit Mr. Allen’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.