William J. Knipp

William J. Knipp

AGE: 72 • Howell

William John Knipp, age 72, of Howell, formerly of Jersey City and North Bergen, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2016. William was the son of a fallen war hero William Anthony Knipp of WWII (deceased) and leaves his devoted mother Hedwig Knipp, 90, of Jersey City. He is survived by his loving children from his first marriage to Janet Knipp: son Gregory Knipp and his wife Susan, their children Christopher, Jeremy, and Ryan of Indiana; his son Jeffrey Knipp and his wife Joanne, their daughters Britney and Courtney Knipp of New Jersey; his daughter Lori Anne Knipp and her children Christian, Jacob and Sarah Zuba; and his daughter Crissandra Knipp and her husband Adriel Halliburton along with her four children Gabriel from New Jersey, Ethan, Jaedon, and Isabella of Texas. Cherished husband of 16 years to Catherine Knipp (deceased) devoted step father to three children; Marissa Collins and her husband Clinton, their children Catherine Rose and Kaytlin; Laura Swiecicki and her son Charlie of Maryland; Vincent and his wife Kathryn Romito of Howell. During his life, William was also a foster father to many children.

William began his career serving a Navy tour on the USS Saratoga and USS Enterprise. He then began a career with the North Bergen Police Department, where he rose to the position of juvenile detective before retiring in 1984 due to injuries received in the line of duty. William went on to become a valued employee of New Jersey transit until he retired in 2011.

During his life he served as a coach for North Bergen Pop Warner Football, a member of the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, the Free Masons, the Policemen's Benevolent Association, and as an officer of the Lacey Elks. He touched the lives of many through his lifelong dedicated service to the community, in particular his work to form and raise funds for a support group focused on bringing quality of life to handicapped young adults with special needs. William will be dearly missed by those he left behind, but his legacy of love will live on through his mother, children and grandchildren as well as his extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 5, 2016 from 12 PM to 3 PM and again from 5 PM to 7 PM at RIOTTO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION COMPANY, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306. Funeral will begin on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, 10 AM at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will follow 11 AM at ST. ANN'S POLISH CHURCH (291 St. Paul's Ave.). Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.