William Dougherty

“Keep the Shiny Side Up”

Brave, Brilliant, and Kind, William J. K. Dougherty of West Chester, Pennsylvania, beloved father, business owner, mentor, leader, and life-partner, lost his battle with this horrid virus at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, Pennsylvania on April 9, 2020. He was 74 at the time he entered Heaven’s gates. In these unprecedented times, just before his death, he was comforted by the voices of his children, Colin and Kara, and his companion of life for 18 years, soul mate Judith Alignan.

Bill was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the oldest son of the late William and Ann (née Keating) Dougherty of Wyoming, Pennsylvania. His father served as a barracked mounted Pennsylvania State Trooper, leaving his adoring mother to raise Bill in nearby Wyoming, Pennsylvania, then later Broomall, Pennsylvania, in a hard-working home with his loving maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who were always nearby. His Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and birthdays were always celebrated with his close-knit family and friends. His younger brother, Kevin, was a constant companion on many childhood explorations, complete with scars and broken bones, and his cousins were akin to him as brothers and sisters. The importance of family and integrity – the respect of others, was instilled in Bill during his earliest years.

Bill attended Saint Pius X School and served as an altar boy; the priests frequently amazed at his fantastic sense of humor. He later graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School (1963), where he led a group that proudly painted a rival school's flag pole ‘Bonner green’ as the senior prank. He went on to attend West Chester State College, where he graduated with a B.A. in History in 1971. Bill served honorably in the United States Marine Corps, 1969-1971, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Bill maintained many life-long friendships from his high school, college, and military service years.

In 1971, bright, quick-witted, and happy to do anything around cars, Bill began working for Roger Penske Racing in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, and was on the team the first year Team Penske won the Indianapolis 500.  Often accompanied on Penske race days by Margie (wife/deceased), Bill knew he had found the career of his dreams. In 1977, Bill opened Dougherty Automotive Services in West Chester, Pennsylvania.  The Chester County community quickly embraced Bill’s service shop. Now, 43 years later, with Bill semi-retired, the company still operates with his team of longtime loyal employees who are dedicated to his extraordinary example of integrity, quality service, and customer care that Bill forged into the company when he first opened his doors. Specializing in Swedish and German car service with a strong emphasis on Porsche, Bill cultivated a large extended family throughout his daily work. Through his 35-year involvement with the Riesentoter Region of the Porsche Club of America, he freely shared his passion and knowledge and served in various positions in support of the club. Bill cherished the friendships made through these experiences, many of which extended outside of the car world where other life pursuits were enjoyed together. He served as mentor and teacher to many while maintaining his irresistible desire to learn new things from others. When not talking about cars with friends, many hours were spent talking about each other's favorite books. He was a 49-year resident of West Chester, where he cherished the community.

As a father, Bill was very much a family man, always made his presence and availability to his children his primary aim. Birthdays, school events, little league, cub scouts, riding lessons, horse shows, club races, found Bill in the middle of it, often as a volunteer. He had a passion for sailing on the Chesapeake and made it a part of family life for many years.

In 2001, Bill was reconnected with college friend Judith Alignan by friends who arranged a dinner at one of the vanguards of West Chester’s downtown scene, Vincent’s. Kindred souls fell in love, caring for each other’s hearts, and enjoyed a fabulous lifetime together, in just over 18 short years.

Bill was loving, caring, friendly, and kind at all times and never brought a lousy day home. He was a beacon of light, gently guiding others with advice, wisdom, and his vast knowledge of all things. He was a brother, parent, best friend, life-partner, and a mentor, teacher, and colleague to so many others who will miss him dearly.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Margaret K. (née Kefalas) Dougherty. He was the loving father of Colin J. Dougherty of Keswick, Virginia, and Kara A. Dougherty (Timothy Bearpark) of Glenageary, Dublin County, Ireland; loving grandfather of Caroline Dougherty, Henry Bearpark, Oliver Bearpark, and Margot Bearpark; and devoted life partner and best friend, to Judith Alignan. Bill is also survived by his loving brother, Kevin Dougherty, of Mertztown, PA and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a large group of friends, some of whom became known as “Aunts and Uncles” to his children, and by his ever-faithful sidekick, Joie, the dog.

A good kind man has become a good kind spirit, watching over us all.  He would tell his drivers before they would head out of the pits, ‘keep the shiny side up,’ a reminder that the most important thing to do is bring it home in one piece at the end of the (race) day. A Memorial Service for Bill will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Donations in the memory of Bill are welcome at Doctors Without Borders or University of Pennsylvania Coronavirus Research Fund.