William Lee Mahan, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Delmar on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the age of 82. He was born on February 12, 1944, in Washington, DC, and spent many fulfilling years in Delmar, where he created lasting memories with his family and friends. 

Bill's love for the beach began in 1950 when his parents purchased the Bethany Breakers, an apartment house on the boardwalk in Bethany Beach. During many of the summer seasons, Bill ran a doughnut and sundry shop. He developed his love for surfing and fishing during those years. Bill's parents sold the Breakers in 1968. After that Bill spent two summer seasons as a member of the Ocean City Police Department. His love of the beach remained during his whole life.

In January 1998, Bill retired as regional vice president from Bank of America after 32 years. He moved back to the beach, Ocean City, MD, and in February 1998 he opened Tiajuana Taco & The Borders, a restaurant and bar on 28th Street. Bill met his wife Brenda in 1998 when he hired her to be his bookkeeper. When he sold the restaurant in 2005, he then opened American Independent Mortgage. She also worked with him and managed his Delaware office. In 2010 he closed the mortgage business and then worked for various lenders until 2015 when he retired.

After being friends for many years, Bill and Brenda got back together in 2018 and in September of 2021 they married on the beach in front of Bethany Breakers.

Bill loved volunteering with The Society of St. Andrew when Brenda was the program coordinator. He would glean produce with her and other volunteers and then help her to distribute to the many food pantries they served. He loved being able to provide produce to those families in need. Bill loved being in the kitchen, cooking with Brenda, grilling and making cookies and ice cream with Ryleigh. He was famous for his cream of crab soup. 

Above all, Bill was a family man. He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Callaway Mahan, his son, Vinoo Mankad, daughters, Theresa Palmer (Timmy) and Catherine Shinall (Mathias), and his brother, Bobby Mahan (Connie). Bill took immense joy in being a grandfather to Tara Matthews (Crawford) and Marcus Mahan and a great-grandfather to Ryleigh and Ryker Matthews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John Henry Mahan and Carrie Voy Mahan; and a son William L. Mahan. Bill's life will be honored with a funeral service, where family and friends will gather to celebrate his life and legacy. 

The service will take place at Short Funeral Home in Delmar on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 6pm. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4-6pm. 

In memory of Bill, the family suggests donations to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802 or to Renovate Church Food Pantry, 800 E. East Street, Delmar, MD 21875.