William R. Ash, Jr.

Born on August 10, 1940, in Elizabeth, he was the son of the late William Sr and Wilma Renner Ash.

Mr. Ash attended Union High School before proudly serving in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 and the National Guard from 1965 to 1967.

While raising his family Mr. Ash resided in Port Reading, NJ for 30 years and was employed by the Exxon Mobil Company, Linden, retiring with nearly 40 years of service.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. His main interest in life was providing for his family and they will be forever grateful for all that he has done for them. Bill Ash had a simple motto that guided him through life. “I lived during the best of times - one Country, one Company, one Family”.

In addition to his parents, preceding him in death are his beloved wife of 55 years the former Mina Murphy and his in-laws the former Rosetta Nicholson and James Murphy Sr.

In addition, it was his request to recognize all of the wonderful friends who preceded him in death from Exxon Mobil. Although they are too numerous to acknowledge individually, he truly considered them an extension of his family and was grateful for all the memories that they shared over the years. He was looking forward to meeting them again “in the great garage in the sky”.

Left to mourn his passing are his beloved daughter Colleen Ash-Merendino and his son-in-law Anthony as well as the apple of his eye, his only grandchild Joseph Merendino. He also leaves behind with only blessed memories, his brother-in-law James Murphy and his wonderful wife Linnea of Basking Ridge and his niece Lori Briscoe Wall and her husband Ron of Palmer Township, PA.

The family would also like to thank the wonderful teams of Compassionate Care Hospice and Spring Village in Galloway, New Jersey for the wonderful care that they provided both Bill and his family.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in his name to either Deborah Heart and Lung, Tunnels to Towers or the animal rescue of your choice.

Services are under the direction of McCracken Funeral Home in Union, New Jersey.