Born July 1, 1939, in Passaic, New Jersey, William lived a full and far-reaching life marked by his commitment to learning and a deep appreciation for the wider world.
After graduating from Wayne High School, William continued his education earning his Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in 1962 followed by his Master’s in Education from Texas A&M in 1968, with credentials that reflected both his discipline and his commitment to guiding others.
William spent many years as a science teacher in Jefferson Township High School, offering students not only instruction, but the kind of consistent guidance that leaves a lasting imprint. He retired in 1994, closing a meaningful chapter of daily service while carrying forward the values that had long guided him. In his youth, William became an Eagle Scout, a distinction that echoed his lifelong sense of responsibility and readiness to meet life with skill and purpose. William had a wide range of hobbies that included fishing, hunting, golfing, photography, and stargazing.
William shared 55 years of marriage with his beloved late wife, Edith (Edie) Lynn Lambert, who predeceased him in 2017. Together, they embraced life with a spirit of discovery, traveling to all 50 states and throughout much of Canada. Other notable excursions also included Great Britain, France, Scandinavia, Russia, a Danube River cruise, and a tour of Australia and New Zealand. William would also travel to South America.
William will be remembered with gratitude and affection for the life he built, the miles he traveled, the lessons he shared, and the love that carried through every season.
William is survived by his sons, William B. Lambert and Matthew A. Lambert (Susan); his grandson, Thomas Lambert; and many loving family members from coast to coast who will miss him deeply.
A celebration of William's life will take place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 3pm to 6pm at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company, 929 Stillwater Road, Newton, New Jersey 07860, or by visiting https://stillwaterfirenj.org/.
Online condolences may be offered to the family below.
