William James Castner Sr.

William (“Bill”) (“Pop”) James Castner Sr. passed away at his longtime home in Toms River, New Jersey, on December 19th. He was 73 and dedicated his life to family, friends, and baseball. Bill was a proud, smart, strong-willed, funny, and honest man — an incredible role model to his family and the community.

Bill was born and raised without a father in Newark in an apartment by a single Mom with six kids, yet ended up serving for more than four decades as a successful executive for a global manufacturing and distribution leader in the aluminum industry; coached baseball for over 40 years; formed the nationally recognized Black Sox Baseball Club; enjoyed an over 50-year marriage to his devoted and beautiful wife Diane Castner; and spent his free time with three loving children and his grandchildren – a source of pride for Bill more than anything else on earth.

Shortly after graduating Watchung Hills High School, and while attending community college, he met Diane Armstrong while Diane was a cashier and Bill was a unionized deli worker at the A&P grocery store in Berkley Heights. Bill married Diane in 1972, lived in Plainfield, and bought their first home in Dunellen (paying back every penny they borrowed from Diane’s parents to buy the house). Bill played on the highly successful and rowdy V.J. Stahl Electric amateur softball team which won eight consecutive championships through 1980. Bill and Diane moved the family to Toms River in 1981 where most weekends would be spent at church at St. Joseph’s, Ortley Beach and watching Mets baseball.

Bill’s volunteerism and contributions to youth baseball and student-athletes in the Toms River community were extraordinary. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the past international champion Toms River East Little League where he started its Fall Ball program; founded the Black Sox Baseball Club; member of the Governing Board of the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League and Youth Sports Safety Advisory Board; and recipient of the Hurricane Sandy Hero Award. Bill was a coach, mentor, and speaker at countless youth sports conferences and clinics. It would be like Halley’s Comet to ever see Bill without wearing a Black Sox hat, sweatshirt or jacket. He truly loved and was loyal to his baseball family in Toms River.

In 2009, the senior league field at the Toms River East Little League Complex was named “Castner Field.” The surprise dedication ceremony was one of the happiest days of his life. Ten future major leaguers played on Castner Field including Mike Trout, Cole Kimball, and local hero Todd Frazier. Bill was a lifelong Jets & Mets fan, attended Game 6 of the 1986 World Series (“never leave a baseball game early”), attended the deciding games in the 1971 and 2008 World Series; and in 2019 he got to spend a few hours at Citi Field with his childhood idol Ed Kranepool.

But if there was one thing Bill loved – even more than baseball – it was his family. His post-game “selfies” with his grandkids were a beloved, if not mandatory, exercise. Bill & Diane rarely ever – ever -- missed a game or school event no matter the location. The only thing Bill would ask for Christmas each year were Wawa gift cards for gas money so he and Diane could drive tens of thousands of miles each year watching games all throughout the Garden State in their lawn chairs – often followed by a family meal at a Jersey diner or restaurant. He loved nothing more than being at Thanksgivings at Shannon’s (a master at carving the turkey), Christmas at Billy’s, watching Brendan’s live shows, birthday parties for the grandkids, and St. Patrick’s Day wherever the party was.

There is zero question that Bill did not want anyone feeling sorry for him. It’s not who he was. No drama. He was very grateful for the care he received from the nurses and doctors at RWJBarnabas. “I’m 73 and have had a great life. I walk by the pediatrics section of the hospital — those are the kids and families, not me, who have it tough.” It’s still tough Dad. We loved you so much.

Bill is survived by his wife Diane; children Billy (Georgette); Shannon (Matt Clayton); and Brendan; grandchildren Billy, Braden, Kennedy, Liam, Matt (Faith); Nate (Uma Patel); Josh and Caspian Clayton; sister Diane (Susan); and brother Thomas. He is pre-deceased by his mother Maureen Groseclose; step-father Tyler Groseclose; brothers Joseph and Mickey; and sister Carole (John Baran).

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday December 27th from 12pm to 4pm at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home in Toms River. A Celebration of Bill's Life service will begin at 3:15 pm.

Donations in Bill’s honor can be made to the Play for James Foundation where Bill was a Board member: www.playforjames.org/give-to-play-for-james/

The Castners and Claytons will try their best to live up to the name, legacy and undying love of family that Bill left behind. We will miss him forever.