On Monday, April 28, 2025, Borough Council recognized long time business owner, Bill Penrose, owner of Oakdale Auto Body. Bill Penrose, a US 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 1 of 3 Auto Body Shops in Hatboro at the time.

Bill worked on all kinds of things including cars, refrigerators, and furniture (which includes some of the metal benches in Hatboro) and would only take off 1 week a year to enjoy time fishing and hunting.

The Borough presented Mr. 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.

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!!

Enjoy your very deserved retirement, Bill!