William J. Coleman

1951 - 2016

FRANKFORD - William J. Coleman, 65, of Frankford, died Monday, July 18, 2016, at Newton Medical Center after battling a long illness.
Born and raised in Jersey City, Bill graduated Hudson Catholic High School in 1969. He married in 1975 and moved to Sussex County in 1976. Most of Bill's early career was spent as a mechanic commuting over 60 miles each way out of the county. After 20 years of commuting, Bill and his wife, Kathie, started a business in their home. Bill was the creative part of the local business, Crystal Graphics. He loved to learn new things and taught himself how to use design software and engraving techniques, including using a laser engraver.
In his early days, Bill was a musician and played keyboard in several bands. Besides playing at various frat parties and events, one of the bands he was in, called "Beggars Tomb," was the opening act for Richie Havens at the Jersey City Armory. He was also talented behind the scenes in the field of making amplifiers and was partners in a couple of small entrepreneurial enterprises such as "Evil Amplifiers" and "Quantum Mechanics."
As a young man he had his pilot's license and loved to fly along the Hudson River. One of his favorite trips was a two-week flying vacation with his wife and two other couples to the Caribbean. He had an adventurous spirit and while on vacations would try new things, like windsurfing and sunfish sailing. This spirit took him to trying skydiving, which he did three times.
At home he was happy going out on his tractor for hours just mowing the grass and taking care of household projects. He would take his son, Jason, as well as his nephews out for rides on the tractor. Bill was multi-talented and loved anything to do with technology. He could wire up your home or business and set up and network your computers for you. He also loved to build things including furniture and many of the pieces in his home were custom built by him.
Always ready to lend a hand, his friends knew who to call whether it was for help with a project, moving furniture, stuck in the mud, or just to get his ideas on how to do something.
The son of the late William H. and Gloria (Wardly) Coleman, William is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kathie Coleman; his son, Jason Coleman, of Frankford; his sister, Carol Kissel, of Colts Neck; his stepfather, Herbert Smarro, of Toms River; and his aunt, Audrey Wardly, of Toms River.
A time of remembrance will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, at the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 26, from 2 to 6 p.m., at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to SCARC Guardianship Services, 11 US Route 206, Suite 100, Augusta, NJ 07822. Online condolences may be made at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.