William W. Arden

William W. Arden, Sr. of Manasquan passed peacefully on Monday, April 29, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He was 91 years old. Bill formerly was President of Downs Ford in Toms River where he worked from 1952 to 2008. He was also a past president of the Ocean County Automobile Dealers Association. Bill was also a member of several organizations, including the Toms River Country Club and The Monarch Country Club in Palm City, Florida.

Bill served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and earned the Asiatic Pacific Medal with two Bronze Stars, Victory Medal World War II, American Campaign, Philippine Liberation, and the Good Conduct Medal.

A graduate of Mountain Lakes High School in Morris County and the University of Miami in Florida, Bill was a lifelong resident of New Jersey, living for many years in Toms River. He loved the Shore and enjoyed visiting the family summer home on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, built by his mother in 1937.

Bill was an ocean lifeguard in Seaside Heights before and after his military service in the war. He loved hunting, fishing, golf, reading, and wintering in Palm City, Florida. Bill particularly loved time spent with his family and grand and great grand children. Many of you may remember On the Rocks, Bill’s boat, and many good times at the Riverbank Marina on the Toms River.

Bill is survived by the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Dorothy. Also surviving are Bill and Dot’s three children: William W. Arden, Jr. and his wife Marcelle, Tom Arden and his wife Suzanne, and Cyndi Meyer and her husband George. Bill and Dot were blessed with ten wonderful grandchildren: Cheri, Chris, Marcelle, Greg, Joshua, Jessica, Abigail, Ryan, Brianna, and Nicholas. Ten great grand children also survive. Bill also leaves behind sister-in-law Bea Plum, nieces Diane Williams and Betty Browner, and their families.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River.

A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River, 1070 Hooper Ave. Toms River, N.J., 08753. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Presbyterian Church of Toms River Building Fund, marked for the Hope Center at the above address.

Condolences may be made by visiting www.andersonandcampbell.com.