William A. Smith

William A Smith, 81, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at his home in Jackson Township. His wife Debbie was by his side surrounded by the love of his family.

Born and raised in Queens, NY, William, known to most as Bill, grew up a die hard Yankees fan, idolizing Mickey Mantle. While attending St John's University, he found lifelong friends in the Beta Epsilon Rho fraternity. After college, Bill enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps. After marrying his college sweetheart and starting his own family, he moved to Matawan where they found the perfect place to raise that family. He pursued a career in financial planning where he counseled hundreds of clients, planning their futures and easing their worries. He constantly gave of himself to his community from his time on the Rotary Club of Matawan, Board member of the Community YMCA, and assisting on the golf committee at his home course at Westlake in Jackson.

Bill was a kind and caring man as anyone who knew him would tell you. His welcoming smile, easy manner and ready laugh drew people to him. No one knew that better than Bill's devoted and beloved wife of 57 years, Debbie. The love they shared created the foundation of the family he was so proud of. Bill was a loving father to daughter Courtney Smith Rein (and her husband Mike) and son Ryan Smith (and his wife Donna). His love, caring and guidance to his children was second to none. Nothing brought Bill more joy than his six grandchildren: Kayla Rein, Quinn Rein, Emily Rein, Abby Smith, Seann Rein and Juliana Smith. His role as Peepa was his most treasured as he loved being part of each of their lives, sharing and reveling in each of their accomplishments.

Bill also shared a bond with his two siblings: sister Maureen McGowan (and her husband Bob), brother Robert (and his wife Anne) and his niece Jennifer Torchia (and her family).

Bill's legacy will carry on in the family, friends and community he touched with his warmth, kindness and humor as Bill, Dad and Peepa.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his visitation from 1-5 PM on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the GEORGE S. HASSLER FUNERAL HOME, 980 Bennetts Mills Rd., Jackson, NJ. A funeral gathering will be offered at 9 AM on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the funeral home. His Funeral Liturgy will be offered at 10 AM at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Rd., Jackson, NJ. Military Honors will be offered after the Mass. A private cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in William's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate, and would be greatly appreciated. For directions, further information and to send condolence messages to the family, please select the appropriate tab.