PROGRESS
BUSINESSMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST A TRIBUTE TO
DENNIS E. WILLMAN '63
In a Summer 2011 York College Magazine article that acknowledged a generous gift from the Willman family, Dennis Willman '63 said, "I would like to be remembered as a local resident who used his York College experience to not only build a business, but as one who also dedicated time to build the York community in a variety of ways." Willman passed away peacefully on March 23, 2016, and he will, indeed, be fondly remembered as a benefactor who, with Karen, his wife of 50 years, did much to enhance the region and York College. Willman earned an Associate degree in Business Administration from York Junior College in 1963, and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Management from Susquehanna University in 1965. He maintained close connections with both institutions. At York College, he was a member of the board for the York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP), served on the Board of Trustees, and was also Trustee Emeritus. President of York College Dr. Gunter-Smith remarked, "The grand opening of the College's magnificent groundbreaking Willman Business Center in 2013 came about through the vision and generosity of business leader and philanthropist Dennis Willman and his wife Karen. He was deeply committed to the growth of the College, the success of our students, and the York community, and it was our pleasure to recognize this commitment and name the Business Center in his family's honor." Dennis Willman enjoyed strong family ties to York. His father, R. O. "Rube" Willman, was one of three businessmen, including Robert Warren and Charles S. Wolf, who in 1954 founded the York Container Company (YCC), a producer of corrugated packaging materials. Dennis started working for YCC during the summer months when he was a high school student. After college, he had a distinguished career with YCC, and retired in 2011 as Chairman and CEO. Coni Wolf, the Vice President of Business Development, Chair of the York Container Foundation Board, Corporate Officer, and Owner at YCC, said, "Dennis was a gentleman and a wonderful business partner. I appreciated his leadership and interest in continually improving the Company. He emphasized learning by taking workers to see other plants and believed in the importance of industry and community participation. He had deep loyalty to his family, church, community, friends, industry associations, and, of course, York Container. I will miss his guidance." President of York Container Company, Stephen Tansey, agreed, and said, "Dennis was a man who really made the most out of life: a family man, business leader, and sportsman, who was actively engaged in his community and church. He was a steadfast friend and admired by everyone who knew him. I’m honored to be part of his family [as his son-in-law], and to have worked closely with him for the last 14 years." Willman's commitment to enriching the community is apparent in the years of service that he devoted to numerous local organizations, including York College, Junior Achievement, the Boy Scouts of America, and the United Way. He was also a board member for the York Area Chamber of Commerce, and the York County Community Foundation. He was Director and President of the Manufacturers' Association of South Central Pennsylvania, Chairman of the York County Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Economy League, and a member of Rotary Club of York for more than 40 years.
Rick Smith '63, Associate Broker, Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Services, was Willman's college roommate. He stated, "Dennis always had high standards, and he lived up to them. He was as honest as the day is long. He would tell it like it was. He said, 'When you're making a deal, always leave a little on the table for the next guy; you don't need to get every last cent.' You could take his word. He always seemed to live within his means. He was never flamboyant. York College is a much better place because of Dennis. He was very much aware of the value of giving back to the community." Willman was also an avid outdoorsman and golfer, who travelled extensively around the world with friends and family. He was a member and past president of the Country Club of York, and a member of Pine Valley Golf Club, in Camden County, NJ. He was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and devoted to his wife, Karen, and his daughters Jolene and Jennifer, and their families.
14 | York College Magazine • SUMMER 2016