William Spenger Jr.

William Spenger Jr, 83 years young, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away on Sunday morning, April 17, 2016. His wife of 54 years, Margaret, their three children and their families held vigil at his bedside, holding his hands for more than thirteen hours, playing his favorite music and telling him how very much they loved him, right up until he took his last breath. It was an unexpected, catastrophic stroke that took him from us. Bill fought an exceptionally brave battle, since Christmas day and was amazing his medical team on his recovery. No one saw the stroke coming. His last day with us was his best one - he was filled with smiles, renewed energy and you could feel how much he truly wanted to go home. God had a different plan though. Bill was the son of a Russian immigrant, William Spenger and Estelle (Ostapovich). He was born in Newark, NJ and would call both there and South Plainfield, NJ home. When he was a young, professional man, he met Margaret Semoshyn in Bound Brook at The First National Bank of Central Jersey, where they were both employed. They married in 1962 and would raise their family in Bound Brook and live there until 1992. They were fortunate to be able to take an early retirement and moved to the Atlanta suburbs to be near their children. Throughout his career Bill held various positions in the Banking Industry. He was highly involved in The American Institute of Banking. He served as President, sat on the Board of Directors and was an Educator for them. Education was his passion. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club for many years, also serving as their President, and was a faithful and passionate member of The Catholic Church. He lived a respectful, good life. He was a man of deep faith. He worked incredibly hard and always strived to do the right thing - he was one of the great ones. A devout family man for his entire life, Bill always put his family first and gave his children the things he never had. God granted him a long and ever lasting love with Marge - the love of his life. She was his everything. It was always Marge and Bill. He was a doting Grandpa/Poppy and a fantastic Dad, Husband, Son, Brother and Father-in-Law. He was most happy when he was with his family. The beach, surf and sunshine were his second loves. He had a zest for traveling and would spend summers on Cape Cod with the family when the children were growing up. Traveling up and down the East Coast from Maine to southern Florida is how his family made so many precious memories. New York City and the Jersey Shore were places that he loved and spent much of his time. He was adamant about exercising and always stayed in shape - still lifting weights at age 83. He enjoyed fresh air and sunshine -whether at the beach, working in his garden or sitting on the family boat in the lake. He had more clothes than you could ever imagine, his closets and dressers were literally busting from the seams. He always looked great - he was a man with captivating looks and style who never looked his age. He gave Charlton Heston and Tommy Bahama a run for their money. Bill also had a softness to him and a smile that would melt your heart. He was loving, kind, caring and compassionate. He was the epitome of a devoted family man. He was the man that still carried the baby photos of his children, his wedding picture and his grandkids in his wallet. We were the lucky ones. He leaves behind the broken hearts of his beloved family. His wife of 54 years, Margaret, his daughter Debbi Hagler and son-in-law Billy, his granddaughter Hanna, his daughter Dori Truhan and son-in-law Todd, his grandson, Nicholas, his son Gregg (all of Georgia) and his brother Walter Spenger of South Plainfield, NJ. Bill will be laid to rest in a gorgeous park within Arlington Estates, where the grass is the greenest and the sun shines the brightest. It is nature at it’s finest. A lush garden full of beautiful red Japanese Maple Trees, singing birds, stone walking paths, benches and a bubbling lily pond. Every hour you can hear the chimes from the bell tower. An exceptionally magnificent place for an exceptionally magnificent man.

Until we meet again… enjoy the feasts in Heaven, relax in the glorious sunshine, swim in the refreshing waters, and take long walks with our Heavenly Family in those magnificent, vivid gardens. When we meet again, it will be forever. Our love and bond have no end. We will miss you more than words can say. May your memory be eternal.