Albert Willy Egli, 78, husband of Elisabeth Egli, passed away on October 28, 2015, in his home after an extended illness with prostate cancer.
Born in Bauma, Switzerland on August 16, 1937, he was the son of the late Johannes Egli and Berta Egli-Ruegg. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are son Felix Egli (wife, Amanda; children, Ethan and Andrew), of Simpsonville; daughter Regula Egli (husband, David Maltby, Jr.), of Greenville; two sisters-in-law and six nieces and nephews, of Switzerland. He was predeceased by his three older brothers (Ernst, Walter, Werner Egli) and older sister (Ruth Egli).
Albert received his degree in Electric Power Engineering from Winterthur Technikum, Switzerland, in 1961. His first job as an engineer was with the Electrical Research Association in England. After his one-year work permit expired, he returned to Switzerland where he was hired by Sprecher and Schuh, a manufacturer of high voltage switchgear. Some of his assignments included the design of a substation for Israel and design of electric controls for an unmanned gas pipeline pump station in the desert of the Middle East. In 1965, he emigrated to the U.S where he was hired by ITE Circuit Breaker Co. in Philadelphia. In 1971, Albert and Elisabeth were married in Switzerland, and they settled in Philadelphia, PA. They both were actively involved in the New Helvetic Society (Pennsylvania Chapter). In 1986, Albert’s company transferred him to Woodruff, SC, where it became apparent that the Woodruff operation was for sale or would shut down the following year. Two other employees and Albert got together and negotiated an employee buyout which went into effect in 1987. In 2000, the business was sold to an investor group. Albert was retained as an engineer, and his expertise was widely appreciated. In 2002, the business changed hands once more and is now Piedmont Bushings and Insulators, LLC. Albert retired from his “electrical engineering hobby” in late 2014 due to health reasons. He was a life-long member of IEEE.
In 1997, Albert and Elisabeth became US citizens and were proud to call both South Carolina and Switzerland their “home.”
All his life, Albert enjoyed bicycling, hiking and traveling throughout Switzerland, Europe, and the United States. One of the highlights was climbing the Piz Linard, elevation 11,188 ft., in the Swiss Alps with a mountain guide, his daughter and son-in-law. He loved classical music, attending concerts wherever he lived, and playing chess. He was able to fix almost anything, including rebuilding the engine of his cherished Plymouth Horizon. Albert was an excellent billiard player and always enjoyed a game with his children and their friends when they were growing up. He was an active member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Mauldin and loved his church family. Albert’s life was defined by good humor, patience and unfailing kindness to his family and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, November 6, 2015, at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Mauldin with visitation to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 739 North Main Street, Mauldin, SC 29662, Triune Mercy Center, 222 Rutherford Street, Greenville, SC 29609, American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615, or the charity of your choice.
Obituary courtesy of
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Southeast Chapel