William Lackman
William Lackman, age 83, passed away on July 20th, 2026. Beloved husband of the late, Kathleen (nee Carney). Loving father of Bill Lackman (Leah) and Tara Lackman (Chuck). Devoted Pop of Will, Brandon, Shane and Casey. Great grandfather of Jaxon. Also survived by one sister, Barbara Newhouse, predeceased by one brother David Lackman. Sadly missed by many nieces and nephews. William was a United States Air Force veteran, who served his country, honorably, who then served the city of Philadelphia as a police officer for over 38 years. Family and friends are invited to attend his visitation and funeral on Monday, July 27th from 9:30 am – 11:00 am at McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc., 6711 Frankford Ave. (between Unruh & Knorr sts). There will be a eulogy service starting at 11:00 am. Burial will be held at a later date in Washington Crossing National Cemetery. Please omit flowers and kindly consider donations in William’s memory to The Police Survivors Fund, (Fop Lodge #5)
Missing a Wonderful and Great Friend .Will never forget You in Radio with Us All Bill
Mr. Lackman was a wonderful neighbor for many years. He was the kind of person that when he asked, "How are you"-he actually cared and listened. He was quick to offer an infectious smile. Atmore Road lost a true gentleman, He will be very missed. My prayers go out to his family. Rest in peace, Bill.
Bill Lackman - Dad, Pop, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, brother, son, uncle, USAF Airman 2-C, Police Officer EXTRAORDINAIRE, unofficial head of Police Radio (KGF187), coach, advisor, mediator, PROVIDER, friend - I literally had known Bill all my life- I’m his son 😎 There are so many cliché things to say that absolutely, truly and completely describe my dad. If you were lucky enough to know him- then you know. That CANNOT be argued. Bill spent his entire life in the service of others between the USAF then his calling - The Philadelphia Police Department. Along the way, Boy met Girl, a pretty young girl “fresh off the boat” from Kiltimagh Ireland, Kathleen Carney. Love at first sight, primarily speaking Gaelic, Kathleen - my Mom - quickly learned English as she worked at Holy Cross church, met Dad, and, shortly after - SURPRISE - I showed up ! Never the pessimist, Challenge Accepted !! And I have to say - EXCEPTIONALLY conquered. My dad took on the roll of protecting the citizens of Philadelphia, serving under Police Commishoner Frank Rizzo, assigned the the city’s Task Force - the late 60’s version of TRT- going where the trouble was and quelling it. After a year or so of that, Bill was sent to a quiet little place, where not much happens, the 23rd district. 🤦♂️ There he partnered up with a guy who would let you know in a heart beat when “It would behoove you to know …. Frank Kane. The two did a ton of community service in those days, their most favorite, having the 2 parties place their hands on the badge as they preformed the street divorce. A few years of that and unfortunately Bill, all of 5’7”, although he’d tell you 5’9”, got picked up, run through the front door of a Girard Ave home by 300 lb man with mental issues, over a racing and down the to street- breaking his back. Recovery was long, but, he found his way into Police Radio - His second family. Bill excelled from dealing with frantic 911 calls, dispatching, and eventually to the Front Desk - the pulse of police operations. My dad had one goal - NO not to make the most overtime possible 😉 Do anything and everything to help the cop on the street. That’s a fact. While working 8-12-16 hour days as a rule, my dad was still my dad. While all this was goin on - My sister, Tara came along. Yup- 2 kids and a wife to provide for I don’t know how, but, as a kid, he had time to help coach me in baseball and soccer. He’d take time to make sure I was ok, and NOT getting in trouble. We were never rich, but, may dad would not let us want for anything - nothing was freely given - but he’d agreed to the new bike or whatever, contingent on the “if you want X, then you’ll do Y. He instilled in me at a very early age - nothing is free - you can’t have everything you want - you can have anything you want within reason but you certainly have to earn what you get. How true - and he meant it- kicking my ass out at 13 years old delivering over 150 daily’s - like before school- and 320+ Sunday inquirers Thanks dad. He taught me work ethics and customer service. If you do something, whatever it is, don’t half ass it, do your best every time. He ensured that Tara and I were raised, taught and lived as Catholics - crazy because he was Protestant - and public school would have been cheaper - just saying. With my dad, Christian values and catholic school no options. Bill made me the man I am. I owe every success I have to his teaching, guidance - and his very own special version of patience. No matter what was going on in his life - work, money issues, and the every day family drama, my dad was the champ of help. He’d make time for us, and never missed a beat at work. If you worked with Bill or were a boss in need of info or help, you know what I’m saying. More importantly, if you were the rookie needing an assist and had no clue what you were doing or where you were - my dad was not gonna let you be alone - he got you what you needed NOW and everyone went home. My dad had a way of making you understand what truly is important. Family. With that, Bill kept me in line - the best he could - as I took on my own family, a lovely wife and 3 AWSOME sons. My dad was quite good at giving me reality checks when needed. I I have needed a couple over the last 27 years - again - thanks dad. In his latter, most recent years, Bills health declined - almost passing away a few times. But the tough SOB took on those challenges as well, with the grace and calm he had become known for - every time - winning the battle. But as life is, death is inevitable. At 83 years old, his body gave up, not him, his spirit or sense of humor. Bill Lackman, my dad and mentor, will always be in my heart, never forgotten, and toasted every time we go to TEXAS ROADHOUSE !! I’ll miss you so much But Cherish every second I’ve had with you, privately, with Mom and Tara, and with Leah, Will, Shane and Casey. I love you is no where near adequate enough to relay the level of care and respect I Had and have for you. Goodbye DAD
Bill Lackman – Dad, Pop, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, brother, son, uncle, USAF Airman 2-C, Police Officer EXTRAORDINAIRE, unofficial head of Police Radio (KGF187), coach, advisor, mediator, PROVIDER, friend –
I literally had known Bill all my life- I’m his son 😎
There are so many cliché things to say that absolutely, truly and completely describe my dad.
If you were lucky enough to know him- then you know.
That CANNOT be argued.
Bill spent his entire life in the service of others between the USAF then his calling – The Philadelphia Police Department.
Along the way, Boy met Girl, a pretty young girl “fresh off the boat” from Kiltimagh Ireland, Kathleen Carney.
Love at first sight, primarily speaking Gaelic, Kathleen – my Mom – quickly learned English as she worked at Holy Cross church, met Dad, and, shortly after – SURPRISE – I showed up !
Never the pessimist, Challenge Accepted !! And I have to say – EXCEPTIONALLY conquered.
My dad took on the roll of protecting the citizens of Philadelphia, serving under Police Commishoner Frank Rizzo, assigned the the city’s Task Force – the late 60’s version of TRT- going where the trouble was and quelling it.
After a year or so of that, Bill was sent to a quiet little place, where not much happens, the 23rd district. 🤦♂️
There he partnered up with a guy who would let you know in a heart beat when “It would behoove you to know …. Frank Kane.
The two did a ton of community service in those days, their most favorite, having the 2 parties place their hands on the badge as they preformed the street divorce.
A few years of that and unfortunately Bill, all of 5’7”, although he’d tell you 5’9”, got picked up, run through the front door of a Girard Ave home by 300 lb man with mental issues, over a racing and down the to street- breaking his back.
Recovery was long, but, he found his way into Police Radio – His second family.
Bill excelled from dealing with frantic 911 calls, dispatching, and eventually to the Front Desk – the pulse of police operations.
My dad had one goal – NO not to make the most overtime possible 😉
Do anything and everything to help the cop on the street.
That’s a fact.
While working 8-12-16 hour days as a rule, my dad was still my dad.
While all this was goin on – My sister, Tara came along.
Yup- 2 kids and a wife to provide for
I don’t know how, but, as a kid, he had time to help coach me in baseball and soccer. He’d take time to make sure I was ok, and NOT getting in trouble.
We were never rich, but, may dad would not let us want for anything – nothing was freely given – but he’d agreed to the new bike or whatever, contingent on the “if you want X, then you’ll do Y.
He instilled in me at a very early age – nothing is free – you can’t have everything you want – you can have anything you want within reason but you certainly have to earn what you get.
How true – and he meant it- kicking my ass out at 13 years old delivering over 150 daily’s – like before school- and 320+ Sunday inquirers
Thanks dad.
He taught me work ethics and customer service.
If you do something, whatever it is, don’t half ass it, do your best every time.
He ensured that Tara and I were raised, taught and lived as Catholics – crazy because he was Protestant – and public school would have been cheaper – just saying.
With my dad, Christian values and catholic school no options.
Bill made me the man I am.
I owe every success I have to his teaching, guidance – and his very own special version of patience.
No matter what was going on in his life – work, money issues, and the every day family drama, my dad was the champ of help. He’d make time for us, and never missed a beat at work.
If you worked with Bill or were a boss in need of info or help, you know what I’m saying. More importantly, if you were the rookie needing an assist and had no clue what you were doing or where you were – my dad was not gonna let you be alone – he got you what you needed NOW and everyone went home.
My dad had a way of making you understand what truly is important.
Family.
With that, Bill kept me in line – the best he could – as I took on my own family, a lovely wife and 3 AWSOME sons.
My dad was quite good at giving me reality checks when needed. I I have needed a couple over the last 27 years – again – thanks dad.
In his latter, most recent years, Bills health declined – almost passing away a few times.
But the tough SOB took on those challenges as well, with the grace and calm he had become known for – every time – winning the battle.
But as life is, death is inevitable.
At 83 years old, his body gave up, not him, his spirit or sense of humor.
Bill Lackman, my dad and mentor, will always be in my heart, never forgotten, and toasted every time we go to TEXAS ROADHOUSE !!
I’ll miss you so much
But
Cherish every second I’ve had with you, privately, with Mom and Tara, and with Leah, Will,
Shane and Casey.
I love you is no where near adequate enough to relay the level of care and respect I
Had and have for you.
Goodbye DAD
Mr. Lackman was a wonderful neighbor for many years. He was the kind of person that when he asked, “How are you”-he actually cared and listened. He was quick to offer an infectious smile. Atmore Road lost a true gentleman, He will be very missed. My prayers go out to his family. Rest in peace, Bill.
Missing a Wonderful and Great Friend .Will never forget You in Radio with Us All Bill