William R. "Bill" Shoppell Jr.

1931 - 2022

William R. Shoppell, Jr. (Bill) died peacefully November 28, 2022, surrounded by family and friends. Bill was born October 3, 1931, in Reading, Pennsylvania. It was in grade 7 at Northeast Junior High School that Bill decided that he wanted to spend his life teaching music. While attending Reading High School Bill played in the band and was selected to sing in the Pennsylvania All State Chorus and play in the Pennsylvania All State Band. He also played in the Ringgold Band in Reading. Bill went on to Lebanon Valley College where he studied both instrumental and vocal music and received his BS degree. He was listed in the 1952-1953 edition of Who's Who Among Students in America's Universities and Colleges. He served as Pennsylvania State President of Future Teachers of America and then National President of Future Teachers of America. Bill was drafted into the US Army in 1953 and became a performing instrumentalist and vocalist for the US Army Field Band. He was honorably discharged in 1956. Bill received his Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and did additional graduate studies at the University of Colorado and Trenton State College where he was awarded a Certificate in Supervision. Bill's teaching of music career began in Jefferson County, Colorado and then moved to the Asbury Park Elementary Schools from 1959 to 1966. From there he moved to the Freehold Regional High School District where he taught both instrumental and vocal music. In 1974 he became the district music supervisor of five high schools until his retirement in 1993. Bill was Conductor and Music Director (Emeritus) of the Monmouth Civic Chorus from 1963 until his retirement in 1992. Under his direction the Chorus performed in Washington, DC and three highly successful European concert tours. Bill also served as conductor of the New Jersey Chamber Singers from 2003 through 2006 and conducted the St. Peter-by-the-Sea Chorale. He served as Director of Music at the Point Pleasant Presbyterian church from 1982 until his retirement in 2018. While at Point Pleasant Presbyterian he conducted the Choral Bells and Chancel Choir. The Chancel Choir performed on two successful European tours. Bill was often called upon to adjudicate vocal and instrumental performances and did so with High Note Music Festivals, Ovation Music Festivals, Teen Arts Festival at Ocean County College, Rising Star Program at the Algonquin Arts Theater and Rising Star Program through the Paper Mill Playhouse. Bill served on the Board of Directors for the Monmouth Conservatory of Music and the Algonquin Arts Theater. He was a member of the New Jersey Retired Music Educators Association where he served as Treasurer. In 2016 Bill was inducted into the All-Shore Band Directors Hall of Fame and received the New Jersey Music Educators Association Distinguished Service Award. Bill's magnificent bass voice kept him in demand as a soloist. He served the Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls as cantorial soloist from 1963 until 1988. He sang in many local shows, operas, operettas, and churches. In his spare time Bill loved to read, fresh-water fish, watch professional wrestling, garden, and travel. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Clara (Eberl) Shoppell and William R. Shoppell, Sr., his sisters, Ruth Shoppell, Kathryn (Kitty) Feldman, and his son, Curtis. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Sykes) and his former wife, Wanda (Barb) Shoppell. He is also survived by his children, Andre Bucsek (Brett Hoffman), Gaylen Nolan (Donald), daughter-in-law, Stacy, and his stepchildren Antoinette Stanley (John), Michael Limpantsis (Pauline), Jason Limpantsis (Jennifer LeBaron). As well, he is also survived by his grandchildren, Ashley Bucsek (James Wilby), Lindsay Bucsek (Mike Rochford), Chelsea Sedlak (Steve), Kelly Quigley (Brendan), Courtney Shanley (Nick), Katie Nolan (Matt Conte), Kyle Shoppell, Brandon Shoppell and step-grandchildren, Alexandria Stanley, John Michael Stanley, Zoe Limpantsis and Sophia Limpantsis. Also surviving are seven great-grandchildren, CJ Castronuova, Nolan Quigley, Quinn Quigley, John Sedlak, Indiana Bucsek-Wilby, Charlie Shanley and Orson Conte. Additionally, he is survived by his second wife, Pamela (Baird) Zucek (Richard). A memorial service in celebration of Bill's life will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 701 Forman Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 or Grace Hospice, 105 Fieldcrest Avenue, Ste. 402, Edison, NJ 08837. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.