William Antoine Pepper

Bill was born and grew up in Jersey City, NJ. He joined the Marines at age 17, fought in the Korean War and finished his enlistment as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island (the original Sgt. Pepper). Using the GI Bill, Bill attended Steven’s Institute of Technology, where he played lacrosse, was a Delta Tau Delta brother, earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and most importantly, met his future bride, Rose Marie. Bill graduated in the spring of 1958 and that September, they married.

Bill worked for Westinghouse Elevators for 35 years and his jobs took him from New York City to Honolulu to Philadelphia to Washington, DC and back to New Jersey. After he and Rose Marie retired, they moved to Williamsburg in 2000. He enjoyed sudoku and puzzles, traveling, watching his NY Giants, taking classes at Christopher Wren, playing pool, and being an all-around “swell fellow” (as a HS classmate wrote in his yearbook).

Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rose Marie; his sister, Rita; his children, Beth (Lisa) and Bill (Holli); grandchildren Cori (Jordan), Evin, Cameron, Elise and Jake.

A Mass will be held in his honor at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd, Williamsburg at 9am on Saturday, July 16 and a celebration of his life will be held at Verena at the Reserve, 121 Reserve Way, Williamsburg at 3pm that same day. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. Condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.