William “Bill” Van Es, age 71, of Holly Springs, Georgia peacefully passed away on November 16, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 26, 1949 in Jersey City, New Jersey. A graduate of Weehawken High School, Bill married his soulmate and high school sweetheart Pat Van Es in 1970. Bill was a devoted husband and father. Together they raised three amazing children in their hometown of Secaucus, New Jersey where he lived for over fifty years.
Bill had a successful career in the food industry. He started work at an early age working side-by-side with family helping to run the family business. He later owned and operated Van’s Coffee Inc, a commissary for food trucks which provided service to local businesses employing many Secaucus residents though the years. He later enjoyed a career in restaurant management with Boston Market.
A dedicated New York Yankees and Giants fan, Bill shared his passion for sports with his children. His love of sports and dedication to his children drove him to both coach and sponsor a Secaucus Little League baseball team for many years. He also coached Secaucus Biddy Basketball for over fifteen years, long after his sons aged out. His daughter’s voice brought him joy and he beamed a loving smile whenever he heard her sing on stage or practicing at home. Bill was an avid fisherman, while living in Secaucus he spent his free time fishing at the Duck Pond and later at Forest Hill Lake near his West Milford, NJ home. After retiring to Georgia, he looked forward to Monday and Thursday card games with his friends at the Woodstock Senior Center and taking trips with The Silver Roamers. At home, he would spend countless hours working on Sudoku puzzles and his supply of Sudoku books seemed endless. Bill loved to travel with his wife and together they took cruises and road trips to many exciting places on their bucket list. He and Pat traveled back to New Jersey several times a year to visit with family and friends.
Bill is survived by his wife of fifty years Patricia “Pat” Van Es (nee Heumann) who will cherish him and the life they built together forever. He will be eternally missed by his children and their spouses; Gregory and Kristen Van Es, William and Jennifer Van Es, Tracy Lynn and Richard Drye. The memory of this kind and gentle man will live on in his grandchildren, Ryan and Colin Van Es, Caitlin and Liam Van Es, and William and Madison Drye. He is also survived by his brothers Charles (Loretta) and Peter (Nancy) Van Es, his sister-in-law and her husband, Kathy and Chuck Wilt, his Aunt Charlotte Salvatori, lifelong friend Tom Lewandoski, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and William Van Es.
A private viewing and funeral arrangements was entrusted to H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel, Sandy Springs, GA. A funeral mass will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 2pm for immediate family. Due to the pandemic, Bill’s extended family and friends are invited to join them at his mass which will be livestream at: https://vimeo.com/480521578
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to The Secaucus Little League by check to 19 Millridge Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094 Attn: Little League President or find electronic donation details at www.billvanes.org.
