William E. Breitenbach

1941 - 2023

William E. "Bill" Breitenbach, 82, of Raritan Township, N.J., died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born April 22, 1941, in Pittsburgh, son of the late Albert and Margaret Ruth Kuipers Breitenbach, William and his wife, Shirley, had formerly resided in Cary, N.C., for 30 years, before relocating to Flemington, N.J., in 2020, to be close to their family. An Army veteran and graduate from Penn State University with a BS in accounting, he remained an avid lifelong Nittany Lions fan. Bill was an entrepreneur, starting his own successful company in the early 80s, Keystone Information Systems. Upon relocating to Cary, N.C., in 1989, Bill worked several years in the insurance industry before retiring in December, 2014. Bill was a wonderful father (Pop), coaching his children's multiple sporting activities, having regular Daddy-Daughter dates. He was a loving husband of 60 years to wife, Shirley, and an amazing PapPap to his three grandchildren. He was always an active member of his community. While living in Cary, N.C., he focused his time and energy giving back as a member of Point Church. Bill will be remembered as a family man with a positive approach to life. He had a quick wit, an infectious sense of humor, along with a wonderful smile that he always shared with his family, friends, and strangers alike. He loved the outdoors and was an avid runner. He was especially proud of completing the Cleveland, Ohio Marathon. Later in life, he and Shirley sought out adventures like river cruises in Europe, parasailing in Hilton Head, S.C., and whitewater rafting in one of his favorite places, the Appalachian Mountains. He loved hiking the Appalachian Trail with his wife and friends, along with the occasional mountain biking trip. The youngest of nine children, William was predeceased by his eight siblings; and son, Bryan Breitenbach, in 1997. He will be greatly missed by his surviving wife, Shirley Breitenbach; two children, William Breitenbach and his wife, Nancy of Flemington, N.J., and Karen Breitenbach, of New Hope, Pa.; his three grandchildren, Emma, Will and Noah; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Roman Catholic Church,105 Mine St., Flemington, NJ 08822. Cremation services were held privately under the direction of the HOLCOMBE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME. While fighting Parkinson's Disease, he enjoyed the PD community of Rock Steady Boxing, where he boxed at least three times per week. Memorial contributions in William's name may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.