William Howard Purnell was born in Snow Hill, MD on August 29, 1935. He passed on December 23, 2023.  He is survived by his wife of 67 years Marie C. Purnell and three daughters Karen Jeffers, Stephanie Nornes and Pamela Eichelberger; his son Bill predeceased him in 1977.

Howard was employed as a Manufacturing Plant Manager by Moore Business Forms for 41 years at plants located in Snow Hill, MD, Honesdale, PA, and Fredericksburg, VA.  He retired in 1994 to Springhill, FL but returned to his ancestral home in Wilmington, DE, with Marie in 1998 where he lived until his passing. Howard was a member of the United States Army between January 1958 and January 1960, serving as a Tank Commander for USATC Armor Division. Howard served as a Scoutmaster and Commissioner of Scouting for Troop 155 in Snow Hill, MD, and received the Order of Merit for his dedicated work with the boy scouts.

In addition to his 3 daughters, Howard is survived by 2 sons-in-law, 5 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Burial will be at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in the near future. Cards for the family can be sent to Mealey Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 2866, Wilmington, DE 19805.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Bright Focus Foundation (Macular Degeneration Research), Brandywine SPCA or the American Kidney Foundation.