William F. Layton Jr. age 55, gained his heavenly wings on Thursday June 29, 2023 surrounded by his loving wife Terri, his son Will, and his beautiful family at his shore house in Strathmere, New Jersey. He was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on May 27, 1968 and grew up in Lacey Township. He graduated from Lacey High School in 1986, where he excelled and enjoyed playing golf and baseball. After graduating, he enlisted in the United Stated Army. After leaving the military, Bill earned a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Rutgers University and a graduate degree in Governmental Affairs from Villanova University.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, William and Marjorie Layton and his wife Amanda Emigh Layton who died after her own lengthy battle with cancer.
Bill is survived by his wife Terri, son Will, stepchildren Michael, Aidan, and Ava Browne of Toms River. Also surviving are his sisters Kim and her husband William Moore, Kelly Layton, Karrie and her husband Phillip Hurd, Lindsay Emigh and her husband Josh Allen, and his mother and father in law Ann and Alan Zielstorff. He will be dearly missed by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends that held him close to their hearts.
Bill began his political career by serving as the Political Director for the Republican State Committee. While in that capacity, Bill was instrumental is Governor Christie Whitman’s successful re-election campaign in 1998. Afterwards he went on to become the Executive Director of the New Jersey Concrete and Aggregate Association and later served on the organizations’ Board as well as rising to a Board of Director position on the National Ready Mix Concrete Association. Bill’s political talent led him to many great successes and leadership positions in New Jersey including the passage of numerous state laws and regulations, leading Burlington County as the Burlington County Republican Chairman, appointment to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and a trustee of Burlington County College. During each year of the last decade Bill was consistently recognized by his peers and media organizations as one of the top 100 most powerful and influential people in New Jersey politics.
He was a founding member of CLB Partners, which rose to become one of the state’s largest public affairs firms in New Jersey. He was an expert on gaming and licensing issues.
In 2018, Bill and Terri reconnected and were married in 2020. They traveled the world to experience the adventure we call life, together. Using the influence of those travels, they designed and rebuilt a beautiful house in Strathmere, NJ. Where they planned on watching many sunsets together.
As important and successful as his career was his greatest accomplishment and source of pride was his son Will. He spent countless hours watching Will play baseball and collecting baseball cards together. They enjoyed all Philadelphia sports including the Eagles Super Bowl Win in 2018, the Phillies World Series run, and hundreds of 76ers games. He enjoyed traveling to Old Miss for football games and enjoyed their trips all around the world.
Bill will always be remembered as a wonderful, kind, generous, husband, father, son, brother, uncle nephew, friend and confidant. He was a catalyst for making things happen and a loved mentor to many. He was always loyal, trustworthy, dependable, he had enormous heart, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Throughout his courageous battle with cancer, he fought bravely with dignity, strength and much love for his family and friends. In Billy’s words “I fought this like a MOFO”. Bill won the race. Viewing hours will be held on Sunday July 2, 2023 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home 2170 Highway 88 Brick Township. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00am in St. Pius R.C. Church in Forked River.
In Lieu of flowers please make donations in Bill’s name to: GI cancer research cancer fund @ CINJ c/o Dr.Howard Hochster. Colonial Funeral Home-2170 Highway 88 Brick Township is in charge of arrangements.
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