Wilmer C Bettinger

Wilmer (Wil) C. Bettinger, 80, of Gainesville, FL, formerly of Wilmington, DE and Dover, DE passed away on September 29, 2021 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.  He was an attorney in the state of Delaware for over 40 years and his work ranged from small private practice to corporate law, including with the firm Pepper Hamilton.

            He was born in Baltimore, MD on December 30, 1940 to Lawrence R. Bettinger and Louise Hoopes Bettinger. Wil spent his early childhood at Woodside Farm in Hartford County, MD, which belonged to his grandfather and namesake, Wilmer Hoopes. After they left Woodside, his father, a ranger with the forest service, moved the family to Northeast, MD, where Wil graduated from high school in 1958.

            He served for 4 years in the United States Air Force and particularly enjoyed the time he spent stationed in Germany where he learned both Hungarian and German as a translator.  In 1966, he earned his BA from the University of Maryland, went on to earn his JD from the Indiana School of Law in 1971, and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1972.

            In addition to his law practice, he was also very involved with the Naaman’s Rotary Club. His love of language, evident from his time in the Air Force, not only made him an excellent lawyer, but also gave him a knack for delighting friends and family with funny poems and plays on words.  He was an avid reader, as well.

            In his early adulthood, Wil enjoyed getting out on his boat and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay.  His other hobbies included music and golf and he was a skilled carpenter and electrician who loved a good household project.

            He was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Dorothy Jane Foreaker, and his brother-in-law, David Pedersen.  He is survived by his wife, Judith P., daughter Christine Robertson, son-in-law Jemmie Robertson, grandson James, and his beloved dogs, Bella and Daisy. The family thanks the doctors and staff of Haven House, Vitas Hospice, and the UF Health Services for their compassionate care.