William “Bill” Teter, a longtime steeplechase enthusiast who was an occasional horse owner and racing official, died Thursday, June 14, while surrounded by his family at his home in Parkesburg, Pa. He was 83.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane Oas Teter. Among his survivors are son Jeffrey Teter, a three-time champion steeplechase jockey who is the racing director of the Carolina Cup, and daughter Mary Teter Guessford, an investment adviser and the former horsemen’s liaison of the National Steeplechase Association.
Bill Teter was born Nov. 20, 1934, in West Chester, Pa., to the late Dale Hoffman Teter and Elizabeth White Teter. He graduated from West Chester Joint Senior High School in 1952 and attended Penn State University, where he studied agriculture.
He managed Mr. and Mrs. Arthur O. Choate’s Plumstead Farm in London Grove, Pa., for almost 40 years. He contributed to the community as a member of the West Chester Exchange Club for more than 35 years, the Brandywine Grange for more than 60 years, and the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races for more than 30 years.
He was an avid blood donor to the American Red Cross, donating over 5 gallons. He loved foxhunting, traveling, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and collecting antique John Deere tractors.
As a hobby, he enjoyed owning and training the occasional race horse, and he frequently served as a placing judge at the Carolina Cup in Camden, S.C.
Other survivors include daughter Darlene McKinney and husband Mark of Landenberg, Pa.; daughter Karen Carlin and husband Greg of Parkesburg, Pa., and grandchildren Samantha and Clayton Carlin; a sister, Evelyn (Teter) Ristine, of West Chester; and a brother, Carl Teter of West Chester.
His family is planning a Celebration of Life ceremony at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to either Exchange Club Family Center, 310 North Matlack St., West Chester, Pa., 19380, or Neighborhood Hospice, 400 East Marshall St., West Chester, Pa., 19380.