Hatboro is tipping its hat to a true hometown hero, Bill Penrose, writes Dino Ciliberti for the Patch.
Longtime resident and business owner Bill Penrose has officially retired, closing the doors on Oakdale Auto Body after 64 years of service to the community.
Penrose, a U.S. Air Force veteran, opened his shop back in 1960 at 440 Oakdale Avenue—right across from the old Hatboro Concrete Block Company. At the time, Oakdale was just one of three auto body shops in town. But it wasn’t just fenders and engines Penrose worked on—he also repaired refrigerators, furniture, and even the borough’s metal benches.
Known for his dedication, Penrose reportedly only took one week off each year to enjoy time fishing or hunting. His hands-on work ethic and warm presence made him a trusted figure in Hatboro for decades.
At Monday night’s Borough Council meeting, Penrose was honored 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,” officials said. As the community bids farewell to a local institution, Penrose’s legacy rolls on in the town he helped shape for nearly seven decades.
Read more about Bill Penrose, the dedicated Hatboro businessman in the Patch.
