PHILADELPHIA — William Cook “Bill” Bertolet died on April 27, 2024, at the age of 87 years. Bill was born on July 3, 1936, in Reading, Penn., the son of John H. Bertolet and Margaret M. Bertolet. Bill graduated from Haverford College with a BA in art history, and then obtained an MA in art history from the University of Pennsylvania. This was the start of Bill’s lifetime residency in Philadelphia, including 50 years in his beloved home on Rittenhouse Square, which he shared with his late friend, David Crownover.
Soon after graduation, Bill started working with Alfred Bullard, an antiques dealer based in London who specialized in English furniture and long had an outpost on Pine Street in Philadelphia. When Bullard retired in the 1960s, Bill purchased the company, Alfred Bullard, Inc., which he continued to own and run until his own retirement in 2014. Well-known and highly respected in the antique trade, Bill was one of the great gentlemen of the trade. He had an unerring eye for quality, scale and color. He exhibited at all of Russell Carrell’s shows in their heyday, and every other major show as well, including Boston, Newport, Houston and especially the Winter Antiques Show, where he exhibited for more than 50 years until his retirement.
Bill and David were very involved in the Ball in the Square and constantly entertained at their townhouse on Rittenhouse Square. Bill also participated in archeological dig expeditions organized by the University of Pennsylvania Museum in Egypt and the Near East. He had a lifelong devotion to the opera and frequently drove up to attend the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He made numerous and extensive visits to England and London that combined antique buying trips with long lasting friendships. He was a frequent guest at Andalusia and enjoyed many outstanding times there with the Biddle family and friends.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, as well as by his brother, Frederick C. Bertolet. He is survived by his sister, Mary M. Bertolet, his brother, John C. Bertolet, as well as nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Memorial contributions to the Andalusia Foundation, or The Rittenhouse Square Foundation.
—Submitted by Mary Bertolet and Chris Jussel
In Memory Of Bill Bertolet
I met Bill Bertolet at the beginning of my career as an antiques dealer. We both shared the love and admiration for English antiques and through the years we participated in antique shows in different cities around the country. Bill was a serious person, with a serious presentation but with a unique sense of humor with the people he knew well. He always enjoyed fine food and wine, and I had dinner at his home in Philadelphia with Chris Jussel several months ago, and I will always remember him that night, reminiscing about old and good times, enjoying drinks and dinner. He was so especially happy with his great smile. Rest in peace my dear friend.
—Ricky Goytizolo
