Final Salute

ROBBINSVILLE
William “Bill” A. Wilson, 88, of Robbinsville, passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and an amazing friend who left an imprint on every heart he touched.

Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, Bill was a lifelong area resident and a graduate of Trenton High School, Class of 1952, where he ran cross country and track. After graduation, Bill became a carpenter’s apprentice with Carpenter’s Union Local #31 and quickly rose to a journeyman carpenter. Because of his persistence and skill, Bill soon became a foreman of construction projects throughout the area. Many of which, including the Planetarium at New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, are still landmarks today. Bill loved to share his vocations with others – both his strong faith and calling to the Church, and his passion for carpentry. In the mid-1970s, Bill began teaching his craft to others as a faculty member at Mercer County Vocational Technical School, where he first began to mentor his son. Bill also proudly served his country, providing military construction support as a member of Seabees in the U.S. Navy reserves for more than 10 years.

Bill had a successful and prolific career in carpentry and construction. He worked with Belli Construction for many years, serving as their Superintendent. Bill later joined Martin House, a non-profit organization that helps people in Trenton realize their dreams through homeownership. Bill also was involved with St. Gregory the Great RC Church Youth Group and shared his skills as a facilitator on service trips to the Appalachian Mountains to build homes for those less fortunate. He and his son, Bill, partnered to begin W. Wilson Construction, where they worked side-by-side for years until Bill Sr.’s retirement in 1998. Never one to sit still for too long, true retirement didn’t suit Bill. He joined the Diocese of Trenton later in 1998, where he served as the Superintendent of Construction until his second retirement in 2015.

Bill was a man of deep faith. He was a member of St. Gregory the Great RC Church and was ordained a permanent Deacon in 1991. He lovingly served as a Deacon and celebrated countless Masses, baptisms, weddings and funerals – many for his own family and friends – for more than 30 years, retiring from the deaconate in 2022.

Bill also was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #7767. Over the years, he would volunteer on Saturday mornings at Holy Innocents Society, where he taught spirituality and religion to special needs children and their families. He was the founder of the City of Angels Recovery-Spirituality Meeting, served as the organization’s Chaplain, and was forever supportive of their cause.

In his spare time, Bill enjoyed golfing, drawing and painting, playing bocce in the Robbinsville league, traveling and cruising with his family. Above all else, Bill was a devoted family man and cherished every moment he spent with his loving family, all of whom will miss him greatly.

Predeceased by his parents, Charles and Dorothy (Forrest) Wilson; he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Cecelia C. (Battiste) Wilson; his children and their spouses, Wendy and Michael Beauchemin of Florence, NJ, William T. and Pamela Wilson of New Hope, PA, and Sharon Puglisi of Robbinsville; his six grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Sara Beauchemin, David and Megan Beauchemin, Brittany Wilson Arnold and Jeffrey Arnold, Alexandra Wilson and Christopher Nappi, Brianna Puglisi and Jason Puglisi; his five great-grandchildren, Ethan, Jack, Olivia, Connor and Kaylee Beauchemin; his brother, Carl Wilson; and his sister, Linda Place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great RC Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hamilton, NJ.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Gregory the Great RC Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ. A Knights of Columbus Service will be held at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to St. Gregory the Great RC Church or City of Angels by visiting In Memory Of at inmemof.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Saul Colonial Home 3795 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square, NJ.

www.saulfuneralhomes.com

Published by The Times, Trenton, from Nov. 18 to Nov. 19, 2023.
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