Business Owner Retiring After 65 Years In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA — Longtime business owner Bill Penrose is retiring.

The owner of Oakdale Auto Body was recognized for his retirement at the Hatboro Borough Council meeting on Monday night.

Penrose, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, opened Oakdale Auto Body in 1960.

Oakdale Auto Body, which was located at 440 Oakdale Avenue (across the street from the old Hatboro Concrete Block Company and Lewis (Lewi) Blair) was only one of three auto body shops in Hatboro at the time.

Penrose worked on all kinds of things at the auto shop, including cars, refrigerators, and furniture (including some of the borough's metal benches).

Officials said Penrose would only take off one week a year to enjoy time fishing and hunting.

The borough presented Penrose with a certificate of appreciation for his "outstanding support of Hatboro residents, business owners, and organizations."

"Since 1960, he continued to impact lives within Hatboro and surrounding communities on a daily basis until he recently closed his shop and retired," officials said. "The Borough is extremely grateful for all of Bill's hard work in making Hatboro a better place to live, work, and play, and we thank you for choosing Hatboro as your home for almost seven decades."

(Borough of Hatboro)