William Massey, a popular Philadelphia brewer, died suddenly at his home. The brewery that bore his name was large, employing 100 people, and Massey was active in managing it right up until the day of his death at age 83 years. Despite giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars during his life to various charities, Massey left a fortune estimated at $5 million to his heirs. The dispersal of assets was handled by Massey's youngest son William, who, still single at age 46, listed his occupation as "Gentleman" on the 1900 census.

William Massey's brewery was liquidated following his death. 100 brewery workers became unemployed.  The stock and equipment were purchased by the Betz Brewery. The extensive brewery complex was purchased by a real estate development firm and disassembled. The two million bricks in the buildings were parceled out by the architects Cope & Stewardson and are now incorporated in structures throughout Philadelphia.  Over the span of a few months, all that William Massey worked for was sold for cash.

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