William W. Tao

Obituary of William W. Tao
William W. Tao, lovingly known by all as Bill, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Edison, New Jersey, on June 29, 2025.
Born near Shanghai, China to Wan-Lee Tao and Ron-Lan Tsao, Bill and his family fled to Taiwan during the Communist Revolution, seeking safety and a new beginning. He completed his education in Taipei, where his academic talents stood out, eventually earning him the opportunity to come to the United States as a scholar. He pursued graduate studies at Purdue University, where he met his future wife, Helen, who was then a student at Indiana University. The two fell in love and were married on February 15, 1969, in Lafayette, Indiana.
Work brought Bill and Helen to New Jersey, where Bill began his multi-decade career as an electrical engineer with the Bell companies. Aside from a brief stint in Greensboro, North Carolina, Bill worked at the Bell companies (e.g., AT&T, Bell Labs, Lucent) throughout New Jersey for the duration of his long and loyal tenure, from which he retired in 2002.
Bill and Helen built a beautiful, family-centered life for themselves in New Jersey. They welcomed and raised three sons, Donald, Patrick, and Curtis, primarily in Edison. In addition to his children and grandchildren, perhaps Bill's greatest legacy is that he sponsored and supported many family members in their journeys to the United States. In so doing, Bill made many American dreams become a reality as he laid the foundation for a thriving extended family in New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and beyond.
Hard work was a hallmark of Bill's life. In addition to his tireless contributions to the Bell companies, Bill taught graduate classes at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Bill also tried his hand at entrepreneurship, dabbling in various retail pursuits, all to better support his family and to instill in them a strong work ethic and the values of determination and productivity.
Bill had a sharp and curious mind. He especially enjoyed table tennis and chess, both of which he played with great skill and enthusiasm, and which he loved most when playing with his sons. A passionate supporter of Rutgers athletics in his retirement, Bill rarely missed a home football or basketball game, and he took great pride in being part of the University's vibrant fan base.
Social by nature, Bill thrived on connecting with people. After his retirement, he became a familiar face at Panera Bread, where both staff and fellow regulars came to know and appreciate him as a friendly presence, always up for a conversation and often a source of thoughtful advice or cheerful humor.
Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen W. Tao; his three sons, Donald K. Tao (Jacqueline Fung), Patrick K. Tao (Andrea), and Curtis K. Tao (Lisa Colone), and his seven grandchildren, of whom he was enormously proud: Vanessa, Quentin, Claudia, Annabelle, Thomas, Williams, and Briony. Bill is also survived by his brothers, David and Alan Tao, his sister, Linda Eng, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Wen-Chuan Liu.
Donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Rutgers University Foundation at .