Dr. William A. Gudelunas, Jr., age 80, of Ocean View, Delaware, formerly of Palm Desert, California, and Minersville, Pennsylvania, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, Delaware.

Bill was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on March 28, 1945, the son of the late William A. Gudelunas, Sr. and Vera (Kostiuk) Gudelunas. He was a graduate of Minersville High School and earned his undergraduate degree from West Chester University. Bill went on to complete both his master's degree and doctorate in History at Lehigh University.

A lifelong educator, Bill was a widely published scholar and loved teaching. He was deeply respected and cherished by his students across multiple states and decades. He began his academic career as a professor of history at Penn State Schuylkill and later taught at Alvernia University. After relocating to California, he served as a Professor of History at the College of the Desert and also taught at California State University San Bernadino and Chapman University. During his time in California, Bill served as a very popular lecturer at the Rancho Mirage Library, regularly speaking to standing-room only audiences.

Following his retirement in 2012 and relocation to Delaware, Bill remained dedicated to higher education, teaching courses at the University of Delaware and Salisbury University. He also delivered several lectures at the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach, Delaware to rave reviews.

In his younger years, Bill enjoyed a good round of golf and was an avid sports enthusiast throughout his life. He especially cherished reconnecting with his high school friends from Minersville, reminiscing about their shared love of high school sports and his basketball scoring record at Minersville High. Above all, Bill will be remembered for his passion for education and for being a devoted and proud father, celebrating the accomplishments of his two sons.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Barbara (Novey) Gudelunas; his son William Gudelunas and partner Hilary McQuate of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; and his son David Gudelunas and partner Ian Muldowney of Tampa, Florida.

Bill was a parishioner at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, Delaware. A private celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Bill's name to the American Heart Association by visiting www.heart.org or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) by visiting www.aspca.org