Obituary of William Thomas Levers

Levers, William "Bill" Thomas, Sr., of Turnersville, NJ died suddenly on April 24, 2008. Aged 65 years. Bill was a loving and caring man who was a true optimist and always looked at the glass as "half full." He was an amazingly talented artist and enjoyed painting and drawing. He will be remembered as a true gentleman and will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Bill graduated from John Bartram High School and served in the United States Air Force. Although he went to various night schools to receive some technical training, Bill was mostly self taught. He used his art to tell stories and to portray windows that people could travel through. He wanted his painting to "live." Bill was a member of the Prestigious Sketch Club and various pieces of his work are on display through out the country. In 1997, he was selected as the Official Artist for the 12th Annual "Doo Dah Parade." He was commissioned to do limited edition prints, coffee mugs and t-shirts to commemorate and honor the great comedian, W.C. Fields. He has work displayed in the William C. Jason Library at the Delaware State University and Center for the Arts in South Jersey, where he received honorable mention for drawing in 1992 and 1st place for his oil painting "Fixen's" and "Trolley at 12th Street." The "Fixen's" piece was purchased by Coca Cola Corporation for their corporate art collection. Other pieces of his work are displayed at Sandpebbles Art Gallery, Ocean City, NJ, Tap Graphics, Williamstown, NJ, Silicon Galley, Philadelphia, PA, Generations Arl Gallery, Yountvile, Napa Valley, CA and The Goldfish Gallery, Sarasota, FL. Many of his oil paintings have become limited editions for Ed Rendell "Bud" Knight, Postal Service of Ocean City, Harry Anderson, Neil Diamond and Merv Griffin, Williard Scott, Sidney Chaplin and "Dr. J. ", Julius Erving. Bill's oil painting "City of Philadelphia" is given to dignitaries as an official gift from the City of Philadelphia. Prior to retiring in 2000, Bill was a film technician and editor for WTXF Channel 29 in Philadelphia for 25 years and was a resident of Turnersville since 1976. Beloved Husband of 41 years to Margie M. nee Thorpe; Devoted Father of Kimberly Goodwin, William Levers, Jr.; Loving grandfather of Robert III and Daniel Goodwin; dear brother of Earl Levers. . Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing, Saturday, 1:00—3:00 PM at the McGuinness Funeral Home, 573 Egg Harbor Road, Sewell, NJ where a service will follow at 3:00 PM. . Interment will take place privately. Tributes & memories may be shared by clicking on the "sign guestbook" icon.