Born in Whaleysville on June 16, 1873, and died March 4, 1955. Whaley was noted as a man dedicated to family, friends, and community. In 1939, Whaley supervised the construction of a new gas plant by Eastern Shore Gas Corporation. For three terms, he served Berlin as mayor before, during, and after World War II. During World War II, he oversaw the donation of four Glen Riddle Farms steel cannons to sell for scrap, the German prisoner of war work camp in Berlin, and briefly considered, with the City Council, renaming the town “Lidice,” after a small Czechoslovakian town that was destroyed by Nazis (The Salisbury Times, June 1942). He was the Manager of Glen Riddle Farms and oversaw famous racehorses Man O’ War and War Admiral (The Salisbury Times, October 1942). His wife was Virginia Hammond (The Salisbury Times, 1955). Whaley was also the Director of the Exchange & Savings Bank in Berlin and President of the Berlin Building and Loan Association. He lived at the Whaley House at 100 West Street. Known as “Robin’s Nest,” the Federal-style two-story main block is one of the oldest structures in town.
Berlin May Be Renamed Lidice To Commemorate Czech Town. (1942, June 20). The Salisbury Times, p. 1. https://delmarvanow.newspapers.com/clip/91514609/the-daily-times/.
Steel Cannon from Riddle Farm for Scrap. (1942, October 2). The Salisbury Times, p. 2. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42129186/the-daily-times/.
William Whaley Dies, Former Berlin Mayor. (1955, March 5). The Salisbury Times, p. 4. https://delmarvanow.newspapers.com/clip/76884974/the-daily-times/.
