William Wendell Tolley

William Wendell Tolley passed away suddenly on March 5, 2022 at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton, Maryland.  He was 71 years old, Born in Cambridge, on March 2, 1951 to the late Jeremiah Wendell Tolley and Betty Lee Phillips Tolley.

“Bill” as he was known by, attended schools in Dorchester County and graduated from Cambridge High School with the class of 1969.  He went on to attend Norman Park College in Georgia and St. Mary’s College in Maryland.

In 1978 Bill joined the Airforce.  He was stationed in Lockland Airforce Base in San Antonio, Texas.  After he left the service Bill’s life was centered on his family and friends.  Bill’s love of music and playing the drums led to forming his band “Frenz” along with his other band members who had become best friends.

Bill also had a great interest in history, as well as many musical genres.  He loved listening to music and had many favorite bands throughout the years.  He also had a special love for Christian music and reading the bible.

He enjoyed spending time with his friends, traveling and especially game nights at friend’s homes and loved attending parties.  He had an amazing sense of humor.

Bill also was a fan of sports, most of all football and his love of “The Ravens”.  Among other hobbies he likes singing Karaoke, reading and watching movies.  He enjoyed going to the theatre with his friends.

He was a great conversationalist and spent many hours talking with people and sharing Christian faith.  He enjoyed trips to the Amish Market where he would converse with friends there.  More than anything he loved spending time with his best friends Lou and Kathie Chipouras.  They shared many memorable adventures together and were truly like family.  He loved caring for the family cat “Abner” whom was very dear to him.

Bill was kind, compassionate and a faithful friend to all who knew him and he met many people through the many years he worked in the fast food industry.

Surviving Bill is his nephew Jeremiah Whitmore Tolley, Jr. of Seaford, Delaware and numerous cousins.

Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother Jeremiah Whitmore Tolley, Sr., his maternal grandparents William Eldridge Phillips and Elizabeth Almire Dunnock. 

Paternal grandparents Alfred Alexander Whitmore Tolley and Bertie Agnes North, along with many aunts and uncles.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 beginning 1:00 p.m. at Newcomb and Collins Funeral Home, P.A., Cambridge.  Officiating will be Rev. Elaine Robinson.

A viewing will be held an hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow the service at Dorchester Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill’s name can be sent to Baywater Animal Rescue, 4930 Bucktown Road, Cambridge, MD 21613.