William T. Exley | Car dealer, 82

William T. "Duke" Exley, 82, formerly of Langhorne, retired owner of Duke Exley Auto Sales, died of heart failure Aug. 8 at North Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Mr. Exley graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia. During World War II he served in the merchant marine aboard cargo ships in the Pacific and Atlantic. Afterward, he turned down an academic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, his daughter Jennifer Desiato said. When she later asked him why, he said he had wanted to get started with his life and go to work instead, she said.

Mr. Exley sold cars for dealerships including McCafferty Ford in Langhorne before establishing his used-car business in Langhorne. He moved to Florida when he retired 12 years ago.

He enjoyed politics and sports, especially the Eagles, and Florida's beaches, his daughter said.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Exley is survived by a son, William; daughters Helen Liss and Dawn Bellerby; a stepdaughter, Holly Cantrick; his companion, Amparo Rocco; a brother; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his former wife, Betsy. He was predeceased by former wives Helen and Helene.

A Memorial Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 235 E. State St., Doylestown, where friends may call after 9:30. Burial was in South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Fla.