William "Bill" Steven Berenter

Bill Berenter of Short Hills, New Jersey lost his hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer on February 23rd, surrounded by family whose unwavering love and support helped him through this courageous fight.

Born in Brooklyn, New York on December 5, 1945, to Frieda and Harry, Bill spent his childhood playing basketball, stickball, rooting for the Brooklyn Dodgers and forming a lifelong, unbreakable bond with his cousins. His warmth, humor, wisdom and integrity helped forge countless lasting friendships, in addition to a successful career in Advertising.

At just 19 years of age, Bill won a city-wide contest as a student at The School of Visual Arts in New York City for the clever cover design of Art Direction Magazine. His talent and creativity paved the way for Berenter Greenhouse and Webster, an advertising agency he built with his good friend Marty Greenhouse. The agency’s campaigns helped build Bed Bath and Beyond, The Marvel Universe, Starbucks, Vtech Electronics, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Annie Sez, Knickerbocker Toys, Fox TV and many more. Bill cast a then unknown 13 year old actor in his first commercial prior to his starring role in the movie Titanic.

In retirement Bill enjoyed watching New York Yankees games, attending classic car shows and perfecting his hobbies. He built museum-quality wooden boats and carved bowls of rare woods. He worked on his craft with the same meticulous attention to detail displayed in every ad he designed and every suit he wore.

Bill’s greatest joy in life was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Tobie; daughter, Jessica; his son, Matthew; his cherished grandchildren, Bailey, Sophia, AJ, and Harrison; his daughter-in-law, Kate; and his dear sister, Shelly Newman. He was predeceased by his son, Noah, whose memory he carried in his heart.

Funeral Services are private. Memorial donations can be made in Bill's memory to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or the SVA Alumni Society. The Berenter family requests that friends and family please leave a fond thought or memory of Bill in the leave memory section below.