Obituary of William C. Bowlby

William Clifford Bowlby "Chunk", 97 passed away peacefully at his home in Hampton, NJ on March 1, 2014 after a short illness. Born: He was born on August 5, 1916 in Hampton to the late Floyd and Anna Bowlby. Personal: He was a lifelong resident of Hampton and was an exempt member of the Hampton Fire Company. He was married to the late Ella Winter Bowlby for 53 years who preceded him in death in 1999. He attended Hampton High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II under General George Patton. William served in the battle of Normandy and also Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was employed for many years at the NJ State Reformatory. William was a member of the Musconetcong Valley Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. He was an inductee of the North Hunterdon Hall of Fame. He will be fondly remembered for his dry sense of wit, his passion for political discussions, his enduring support of local high school sports, his warm bear hugs and most importantly, for his loving devotion to his family and close friends. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Survivors: He is survived by his son, William P. (Rusty) Bowlby and his wife Pamela of Hampton, NJ his daughter, Wilma Bowlby Bassista and her husband Edward of Branchburg, NJ, his daughter-in-law Patricia Cole of Hampton, NJ and 8 loving grandchildren, Karen Cole Soulier, Patricia Cole Casey, Robert Cole, Mark Cole, Lynn Bowlby, Kristen Bassista Hendrickson, Matthew Bassista and Kerry Bowlby Zahn. He was great pop-pop to 7 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren and uncle to several nieces and nephew. In addition to his loving wife he is preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Bowlby Capizzi, his three brothers, Paul, Cornelius, and Albert Bowlby and his son, Robert Cole. Services: Friends and family may call on Thursday, March 6, 2014 from 4-8 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. (908-689-0119). Funeral Services will be celebrated on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the Musconetcong Valley Presbyterian Church, Valley Road, Hampton, NJ 08827. Burial will be in Musconetcong Valley Cemetery, Hampton, NJ. Memorials: Donations may be made in William's name to the Hampton Fire Company, PO Box 340, Hampton, NJ 08827 or the Musconetcong Valley Presbyterian Church, 142 Main Street, Hampton, NJ 08827. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an on-line condolence please visit http://www.warrenhillsmemorialhome