William Leroy Sullivan Sr.'s Obituary
Retired Det. /Sgt. Baltimore City Police Department
William Leroy Sullivan, Sr., age 86 of Milton, DE, formerly of Linthicum. MD and Ocean Pines, MD passed away at home on Monday, April 15, 2024 surrounded by family. He was born on November 20, 1937, in Baltimore, MD, son of the late Samuel W. and Viola A. (Parker) Sullivan.
Mr. Sullivan began working at a very young age with his father, Sam, as a street vendor (Arabber) selling fruits, vegetables, poultry and seafood from a horse drawn cart in Baltimore City. Mr. Sullivan then worked for the Albert F. Goetze Meat Packing Company in the late 1950’s before starting his lifelong career with the Baltimore City Police Department, retiring in 1995 as Detective Sgt. in the Robbery Unit. He enjoyed 33 dedicated years protecting and serving his community. After retirement he worked several years as an investigator for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services. Mr. Sullivan eventually retired and he and his wife of 67 years, Margaret, moved to Ocean Pines, MD and then eventually to Milton, DE.
He moved to Southern Delaware in 2018 but the City of Baltimore remained the place he called home in his heart and was devoted to it. Mr. Sullivan's hobbies were active and constructive. He was an avid outdoorsman who relished the planning of many crabbing trips on the Wye River as well as fishing trips and vacations in Ocean City, Maryland. Mr. Sullivan also loved playing cards, handyman projects, watching old western movies, cheering on the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens. He enjoyed dining out in Ocean City, MD and Lewes, DE and quite often you would find him enjoying lunch on Sunday at The Wheelhouse Restaurant in Lewes, one of his favorite places to dine. Mr. Sullivan also loved telling stories about the old days at the Baltimore City Police Department when officers did not have ballistic vests, the police cars didn’t have air condition and officers had to purchase their own handcuffs.
He was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Police in Baltimore City Lodge #003, as well as a past member of Anne Arundel County Moose Lodge. More than anything, he treasured time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren who were the apples of his eyes. Mr. Sullivan was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His presence will be dearly and genuinely missed by all the lives he touched.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Sullivan was predeceased by his brother, Vernon Sullivan, Baltimore, MD. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret Kay Sullivan; his children: Barbara Sullivan of Annapolis, MD; Karen White (Keith) of Greer, S.C., Patricia Finley of Linthicum Heights, MD, Dianna Stotz (Andy Kulp) of Annapolis, MD, and William L. Sullivan, Jr. (Heather) of Milton, DE; his numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; his brothers: Robert Sullivan of Perry Hall, MD, and Thomas Sullivan of Baltimore, MD; and his sister, Genevieve Murray (Blaine) of Perry Hall, MD.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mr. Sullivan's memory to Baltimore Retired Police Benevolent Association, P.O. Box 935, Bel Air, MD 21014-7935.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?