William Barnett

Bill Barnett passed away peacefully on 4/16/2023 at Sunrise Senior Living of Wall, New Jersey. We believe he wanted to be with his wife and partner of 70 years, Arlene, and that they are together in perpetuity. This means they’re probably bickering amicably as always.

Bill was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He leaves behind beloved children: Lisa, Ellen and Jason as well as Suzy, Rich, Avi and Joey. His 10 grandchildren adored him: Joshua, Allison, and Matthew Kent, Nathan, Noah, Jesse and Gabriel Barnett and Maya, Coby and Talia Bendavid.

Bill, as a parent and grandparent, made an impact in everyone’s lives. He found incredible ways to help his children and grandchildren understand challenging topics, inspired many a college essay, and shared his wisdom often. Everyone always wanted to make him proud and he let us know that we did. He invested in few friendships but when he did, he was all in. Lynn and Howard, you are among the truest. His lasting relationships with his cousins were also important to him.

Though he was always humble, we were and are incredibly proud of him as well. Bill was a real renaissance original. While his vocation was law, his avocation was writing and music. Bill has written over 150 musicals, plays and stories. Just a few years ago, he consolidated some short stories into his book, American Variety. His dream was to have a play produced on Broadway and he did have several produced and read off Broadway including: The Shomer starring Tova Feldshuh, I Never Liked Fishing starring Laurie Metcalf, and Loose Connections with Michael Storm.

Bill’s vast library of music includes hundreds of show tunes and many family songs as well. He wrote for everyone. He wrote and arranged a marching band piece for the Rutgers Alumni and Lehigh bands and he wrote a birthday song and a wedding song for all of his children. His grandchildren each have a Bill Barnett original birthday and b’nai mitzvah song too.

Bill was an accomplished musician who played most things by ear. His piano playing was a source of joy for the residents of Sunrise until just last week. He also played the trumpet, trombone, clarinet and banjo. However, he was, first and foremost, a drummer, beginning at the early age of 2. Bill learned percussion from his dad and helped fund his college and law school education playing in dance and wedding bands. He didn’t just build music masterpieces, he was also an accomplished carpenter. Bill built many decorative pieces, repaired everything and even assembled and lovingly refurbished a baby grand piano.

Finally, his love story. Bill and Arlene met at the age of 15. He considered himself lucky to garner her attention. From the hundreds of love letters they wrote to each other beginning in 1953, it is apparent how much Bill and Arlene treasured each other. They dated from high school through college (Bill at Rutgers and Arlene at Temple). They married before Bill went to Yale Law School and Arlene started teaching. Arlene was always the Pollyanna to Bill’s sometimes curmudgeonly ways. Together they balanced pragmatism with optimism. Nothing was more important to them than family and they nurtured a loving, caring, devoted family that sticks together because of them.

With Arlene’s recent loss followed now by her lifelong partner, Bill, their children and grandchildren share their enduring gratitude. Both will be sadly missed but will also be the inspiration for writing, caring, a smile, a laugh or hug. This is the way Bill and Arlene would want to be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Arlene’s favorite cause – organ donation at LiveOnNY.com.

A service for Bill will be held privately by the family.