William F. Coe Jr.

William Coe Jr., 91, of Newton, New Jersey, went home to be with His Heavenly Father on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. He was born on November 4, 1930, to the late William F. Coe Sr. and Eloise Yetter Coe, in Newton, New Jersey.

William was a lifelong resident of Newton, working alongside his father in the fuel oil business. Upon high school graduation, William and best friends, Art Hamler, Edwin Roof, and Frank Snook, went together to sign up to serve their country in the armed forces. Enlisting in the U.S. Army, William was stationed at Fort Dix in January of 1951. In July of 1951, William married Doris VanBuskirk. William and Doris moved to Trenton, New Jersey in 1952, shortly before he traveled overseas to serve his country in the Korean War.

William returned to Newton when he was discharged from the Army in 1954. He was blessed with two daughters, Debra and Cheryl. He had a career in the fuel oil business and worked part-time driving for the Smith Bus Company. After departing Fischer Coe Inc., William worked at Fairclough Oil until his retirement. He continued to work transporting vehicles for local car dealerships, delivering the mail for the Newton Trust Company, as well as setting up his own airport transportation business.

William was an active 80-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Newton serving as treasurer, usher, groundskeeper, and first basemen for their softball team. His interests included croquet, horseshoes, shuffleboard, checkers, and pinochle! He was hard to beat at all of them! William enjoyed camping and boating with friends and family. His closest companion was his beloved boxer, Winnie, who went to work with him each day, slept under his desk, and greeted the customers and drivers. Winnie walked to work with William or stood with his paws on the handlebars of his scooter to ride there.

William was the oldest Past Master of Harmony Lodge #8. He also served at the state level as Right Worshipful Grand Chaplain of New Jersey. He was a 50-year Member of the American Legion and recently recognized for his service.

William and Doris have been blessed to reside at United Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen for many years.

William is survived by his wife of 70 years, Doris VanBuskirk Coe; his daughter, Debra Coe Hurtt and husband, William, of Evanston, Illinois; his daughter, Cheryl Coe Kerr and her husband, Robert, of Calabash, North Carolina; his goddaughter, Jane Snook Sattleberg, her husband, Mark, and their son Ben, of Colorado. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Leslie Hurtt, Michael Hurtt, and Christopher Kerr and his wife, Chantal; his sister, Linda Coe Rutan Schoonover; as well as many loving friends and relatives.

William was preceded in death by his parents, William and Eloise Coe Sr. of Newton, New Jersey; his sister, Brenda Coe Hartman of Port St. Lucie, Florida; his grandson, Ryan Kerr of Sparta, New Jersey; as well as many friends and relatives.

Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Newton, 111 Ryerson Ave, Newton, NJ on Monday, April 4th from 4:00-7:00 pm. Celebration services will be held on Tuesday, April 5th at 10:00am, at the church, followed by interment in Newton Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, Newton, NJ. Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations may be made in William’s memory to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave, Newton, NJ 07860, FA&M Harmony Lodge #8, PO Box 302, Newton, NJ 07860, or the First United Methodist Church of Newton, 111 Ryerson Ave, Newton, NJ 07860.