William Kirkus Dugdale

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, surrounded by his children and loyal canine companion, and full of the Lord’s grace, William “Bill” Kirkus Dugdale took his final breath. He left this world quietly, in peace, and with the same quiet dignity with which he lived his life.

Bill—known as “Will” to some and affectionately “GeeGee” to his children and grandchildren—had been living privately with stage-four prostate cancer for several years. Those who knew him well would not be surprised; Bill was never one to make life about himself. Even in illness, he deflected attention with humor, a story, or a question about you.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, in May 1944, Bill arrived a robust sixteen minutes before his twin sister, Ann—a fact he never let her forget. He and Ann were the second set of twins born to the Dugdale family, joining older twins Glen and Margaret (Peggy). Bill’s childhood was filled with fond memories of growing up on Nottingham Road and later at Fox Hole Farm, where his lifelong love of tractors and the outdoors took root.

At an early age, Bill attended boarding school—first Eaglebrook in Massachusetts, where he shared a dorm room with a yet-unknown Michael Douglas, and later Westminster School in Connecticut. He began college at Franklin & Marshall but ultimately followed his heart home to Delaware, earning a degree in History from the University of Delaware. It was there he joined the ROTC and began his proud service in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era. Though never deployed overseas, Bill trained at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas and served at Homestead Air Force Base in Miami, Florida attaining the rank of First Lieutenant.

After his service, Bill moved to Washington, D.C., beginning what would become a remarkable fifty-six-year career in finance. From American Securities and Trust to Jennison Associates on Wall Street, and finally as founder of Montchanin Asset Management in his beloved Wilmington, Bill’s professional life was marked by intellect, integrity, and devotion to his clients. Aside from his family, building his business—and the relationships that sustained it—was among his proudest accomplishments.

Bill’s personal life took him from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco and ultimately back to Delaware. His first marriage to Margaret Thompson brought adventure and friendship. But it was in 1986, when he reconnected with the love of his life, Priscilla, that his heart truly found home. They had known each other as teenagers, and it was Priscilla’s sister, Lynne, who encouraged that life-changing phone call. From there, a nearly forty-year love story unfolded—one built on a shared love of travel, antiques, laughs, their children, grandchildren, and puppy dogs, and an abiding affection that anchored their family.

Bill didn’t have biological children, but from the moment he met Priscilla’s three—Bo, Michael, and Hilary—they became his. He loved them as his own, with a loyalty that ran deep and a pride that was palpable. He was the kind of father who supported quietly, celebrated loudly, and showed love through action and attention. He often joked he was grateful they were “already grown” when he met them—no diapers required—but in truth, they were his life’s greatest joy.

Together, Bill and Priscilla built a beautiful life and several equally beautiful homes. Bill could often be found mowing the grass on one of his many John Deere tractors, pulling weeds and planting rose bushes, or fussing over an already spotless pantry. He loved tending to his property, his dogs, enjoying a gentleman’s lunch at the Wilmington Club, and a perfectly balanced portfolio. He was equal parts disciplined and childlike—a man who could lecture on World War II history (twice, at the University of Delaware) one moment and light fireworks with his grandkids the next.

Ever the conversationalist, Bill never met a stranger. He remembered names, details, and stories; he made waitresses and nurses laugh; and he delighted in a good back-and-forth. His signature expression—“Ewwww”—was legendary among his family, uttered in tones so ambiguous that no one ever knew whether it meant “terrible” or “terrific.”

Bill’s humor masked a tender heart. Having gone away to boarding school at a very young age, he longed for the closeness of family and found it later in life with Priscilla and their children. Saying goodbye was always hard for him; he used to say he’d spent a lifetime doing it. But this time, his family takes comfort knowing his goodbye was gentle, and that he is now reunited with his beloved Priscilla in eternal peace.

Bill is survived by his children William (Bo) LaMotte (Beth), Michael K. LaMotte (Wendy), and Hilary L. Burke (Ned); grandchildren Drew, Kyra, William, Jonathan, Thomas, Hawkins, and Travers; twin sister Ann Wick (Calhoun); brother Glen Dugdale (Joan); and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Margaret, and his wife Priscilla.

Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather, a true gentleman, a patriot, and a man of quiet strength and great humor—one who found beauty in order, joy in the finer things, and meaning in loyalty and love.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Penn Medicine Hospice nurses Katherine, Leigh Anne, Kenisha and Eric, oncologist Dr. Michael R. Costello, and the Abramson Cancer Center team at the University of Pennsylvania for their compassionate care.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 12:30 pm at the Vicmead Hunt Club, 903 Owl’s Nest Road, Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Abramson Cancer Center West Chester (440 E Marshall Street, Suite 101, West Chester, PA 19380), honoring the extraordinary care he received from Dr. Costello and his team.