ALLENTOWN, Pa. — William L. Heydt, who served as mayor of Allentown for two terms and championed downtown revitalization efforts, passed away on Sunday. He was 86 years old.
The City of Allentown announced Heydt’s death in a statement today, noting the former mayor, and last Republican to hold mayoral office in Allentown, passed away on April 27th, 2025, less than a month before the city’s pivotal May 20th primary election.
Before his political career, Heydt owned Heydt Insurance Agency, Inc. Following his time in office, he established the Heydt Family Fund to support community causes throughout the Lehigh Valley.
During his tenure from 1994 to 2002, Heydt oversaw projects including the redevelopment of the former Hess Brothers building into The Plaza at PPL Center and the creation of the “Lights in the Parkway” holiday tradition.
These initiatives laid the groundwork for subsequent development projects, including the PPL Center arena which opened in 2014 and has become a cornerstone of Allentown’s revitalized entertainment district.
The City of Allentown voiced their condolences for Heydt’s friends and family, and especially his widow, Mary Ann. In the same press release, Allentown City Council President Daryl Hendricks praised the former mayor’s contributions.
“Mayor Heydt’s deep commitment to our community and to good city government will always be remembered,” Hendricks said in the city’s announcement.
“I am deeply grateful to Mayor Heydt for his many years of service to the City of Allentown,” current Mayor Matt Tuerk said in the city’s official statement.
“His leadership helped make Allentown the beating heart of the Lehigh Valley, and his commitment to innovation and compassion sets a standard for every mayor who followed him.”
Heydt’s passing comes at a critical juncture in Allentown politics. The upcoming Democratic primary has taken on heightened importance following Republican candidate Solomon Tembo’s withdrawal from the race.
This development leaves only Democratic candidates — incumbent Mayor Matt Tuerk and City Councilman Ed Zucal — on the ballot.
Given Allentown’s heavily Democratic voter registration, the winner of the May primary will have a significant advantage in the November general election, with any potential challengers limited to write-in campaigns.
The deadline to register to vote in the primary is May 5th.
