William J. Bole, 75, of Wayne, former president of American Tele-Response, passed away on December 19, 2007 after a long battle with cancer at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr.

Mr. Bole grew up in Drexel Hill and attended Upper Darby High School. Upon graduation he joined the Air Force and served at a radar site in Empire, MI. His requests to be sent overseas during the Korean War were always rejected because he had lost his older brother, Robert, in World War II. After his discharge from the service he planned to attend the University of Pennsylvania, but instead decided to take a position as a salesman for Pecora Adhesive Co. and opened an office in Dallas, TX. He always told his children "Texas was my college". At the age of 27, he was promoted to national sales manager and moved back to Philadelphia. In 1977 he founded American Tele-Response (ATR),a national marketing company, which employed over 1,000 people. ATR ran telemarketing campaigns for several big companies including TV Guide, DuPont, US News and World Report and the USGA. In 1983 he sold ATR to the Philadelphia Suburban Water Co. and then served as a Board member.

Mr. Bole was very generous to a number of charities and schools. He was a member of the President's Council of Immaculata College and received the "Joseph Griffin Award" from Mount Saint Mary's College. He served for several years as Chairman of the 7th Congressional District Military Academy Selection Committee for appointments to West Point.

Mr. Bole and his wife of 51 years, Betty, enjoyed extensive travel to far away places and spending the winter months at their residence in Del Ray Beach, Florida. Mr. Bole was a sports enthusiast but his true passion was golf. He played and competed in many member-guest and pro-am golf tournaments across the country. He had two "hole-in-ones" and occasionally won a big tournament. He belonged to many golf clubs throughout his life but he always called "Overbrook Golf Club" his home. He was also a long time member of St. Katharine of Siena Church Parish in Wayne, PA.

He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth Walsh Bole. Devoted father of William J., Jr. (Carrie), Stacie Bole, Elizabeth Kane (James), Terrence J., (Jean), Anne Mullen (Timothy), Marguerite Lee (John) and Christine Lesko (Glenn). Loving brother of Marguerite Goldschmidt and Theodore, Kenneth and Jeffrey Bole. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren.


A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday December 26, 11:30 AM at St. Katharine of Siena Church, Lancaster & Aberdeen Aves., Wayne, PA. Relatives and friends may call at the Church after 10:00 AM. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Edmond's Home for Children, 320 S. Roberts Rd., Rosemont, PA 19010.