William Menton “Bill” Horleman peacefully passed away September 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 95.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware to the late William Henry Horleman and Mary Menton Horleman, Bill lived in Harrington, Delaware for several years. He graduated from Archmere Academy in Wilmington in 1948.
After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy until 1952, stationed at various naval bases around the world during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, he worked for the Atlas Powder Company (now AstraZeneca) for five years.
After attending the Columbia School of Broadcasting, he worked for radio stations WASA in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and WAMS in Wilmington. In 1960, he joined WDEL Radio in Wilmington and became the popular host of “The Musical Clock” morning show for over 30 years. The top-rated program showed off his warm, winning personality as he greeted a faithful legion of listeners, passing along greetings on their birthdays, playing their favorite songs, and letting anxious students know when their schools were closed because of the snow.
Bill’s radio show gave him a chance to talk about his beloved Philadelphia Phillies during baseball season as he organized bus trips to take listeners to games as part of his Horleman’s Hooligans. He also interviewed many celebrities who came to the area, including John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Joan Crawford, and Bob Hope. He retired from WDEL in 1996.
He also worked for the former Branmar Cinema and was an in-demand disc jockey, entertaining at wedding receptions and other social events.
Bill will be known for his devotion to family, strong Catholic faith, great wit, and encyclopedic knowledge of classic films, TV, music, and the stage. He will also be remembered for his love of Frank Sinatra, Alan Ladd, the Phillies, and Navy football. He enjoyed acting in local community theaters including the Wilmington Drama League and The Candlelight Theatre.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Horleman MacDonald, of Los Angeles.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Marlene, son Craig, and daughters Laurie Jerista (Jeffrey), and Julie Bacon (Scott), all of Wilmington; grandchildren Evan, Colin, and Andrew Jerista and Elizabeth, Nicholas, and Allison Bacon; half sister, Kay Truitt, of Seaford, Delaware; half brother, Thomas Horleman of Long Beach Township, New Jersey; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, September 21, 2026, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, where he was a longtime lector, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington. Visitation with the family will be at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor at the Jeanne Jugan Residence, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713 or online at www.littlesistersofthepoordelaware.org.
