Newbury, NH – Born May 28, 1937, in Abington, Pennsylvania to Emily Squibb Colehower and Harry Howard Colehower, Bill was raised in a close family that loved one another deeply.
In 1959, he married Tina Ullberg, the center of his world, loving wife, and best friend for more than sixty-six years. Nothing came before his family. He was a devoted father to his children, Ellen Adams Colehower, William Howard Colehower, and Jonathan Talbot Colehower, and a cherished grandfather to his seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was happiest when he was with them.
Education was a defining thread in Bill’s life. He was a graduate of William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, where he grew his roots in strong academics, personal integrity, and a sense of responsibility to others. He went on to Dartmouth College, graduating in 1959. At Dartmouth, he combined academics with his love of athletics as a member of the football team, building lifelong friendships in the close-knit community that matched his dedication to excellence and commitment to those around him.
Bill spent forty years with Jomac, Inc., a manufacturing company, where he brought the same discipline and integrity that marked the rest of his life. He retired in 1999 as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Outside of his professional career, Bill gave his time generously to organizations through board membership and volunteer service. He believed in giving back to those in need, supporting the success of others, and uplifting all of those around him. He was faithful to his church. He remained a loyal supporter of William Penn Charter School and Dartmouth College throughout his life and was a dedicated donor to many charities that aligned with his values.
To his family he was “Sport,” an unwavering pillar of strength, a ready smile, a warm sense of humor, and, without doubt, their greatest supporter. He was ambitious and determined, yet gentle and deeply caring. He stood firm in honesty and integrity. He found joy in being active and outdoors, especially sailing and sports, and he relished holidays, most of all when he was with his family.
Bill’s deepest legacy lives in the values he planted in his family. He taught them to lead with love and live in truth, to act with kindness and integrity, to be intentional with words and actions, to value education and hard work, to meet challenges with resilience and humility, and, most importantly, to be steadfast in their loyalty to one another.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you honor Bill’s memory by performing a random act of kindness. Whether it is helping a stranger, supporting a local charity, or simply sharing a moment of compassion with someone who needs it – please pass along the grace he gave to others and carry his purpose forward.
Memorial service at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, Sanibel, FL, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
Visitation at 12 noon and memorial service at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Chapel of Peace at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA.
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