William Arthur Staples, Jr.

William Arthur Jr., age 66, died suddenly on September 20, 2018. Bill was a Contractor/ Musician/Angler. Born March 12, 1952 in Philadelphia and was raised in Wyncote with 6 brothers and sisters. Bill attended Immaculate Conception elementary school for three years then transferred to Wyncote Elementary. Bill was a musician singer/song writer who played in several bands from 1965 until the late 1990’s. One band, Staples & McCullough was a very successful local acoustic act with life long friend Sam McCullough. The band started out as a duo performing on boardwalks, street corners and campuses throughout the USA while hitch hiking in the early 70’s. Members John Greenland on bass and Steve Keller on violin were added. They played such classic venues as the Main Point and opened for Patti Smith, Doctor John and other national acts. Later he fronted “Lips of God” a seven piece band that featured many of his original songs along with covers by James Brown and others. Bills last band The Piranha Club with drummer Rich Smith and various other players won the Delaware Valley song writing/performance competition hosted by Mapp Magazine. That same year the Mapp organization added an acoustic division and Staples and McCullough re-grouped and won with no rehearsal in 12 years. His bands and songs won 2 of the 4 categories and both bands were featured on the magazines cover with songs on a compilation CD. He also performed at family gatherings with his brothers Mike, Dennis and Bob. Later nephews Max and Patrick joined in with brother in law Joe Paglia. Bill was a life long school wrestling advocate and wrestler in his youth. He medaled in the first MAWA wrestling tournament in 1962 again in 63 and 64. He loved to see his nephews compete. His one nephew Mike won the independent school state title and medaled at the prestigious Beast of the East tournament in Delaware. Bill was also an amateur boxer fighting out of Hicks Pal in Kensington and later at the Abington boxing club. Bill built, owned and operated along with friend and drummer Rich Smith and designer Vori Kriaris the Barbary nightclub located near Delaware Ave in Fishtown, Phila. The Barbary hosted many local acts with national blues, zydeco and world music shows including Beausoleil, Johnny Clyde Copeland and the Blind Boys from Alabama. It was at the club that Bill met his wife Anne who would attend to see her brother perform in his band. Bill was also an avid fisherman with his wife Anne and kept their boat at the Norristown Boat Club. Fly-fishing was his favorite discipline but would also use live bait if with guests or children. He enjoyed fly fishing trips to Martha Vineyard for stripers. Early on he also acted, sang in choirs and read novels. He loved to scuba dive and surf when younger and took up yoga later in life. Bill specialized in interior fit outs both residential and commercial. He once owned a Giant dog he named Puppy who was locally famous for her intelligence, unusual look and power. A memorial gathering for Bill is pending and will be posted as soon as possible. Services entrusted to Joseph J. McGoldrick Funeral Home. Jenkintown, PA. Condolences: www.McGoldrickFH.com