William A. Dengler Jr., 85, passed away March 9, 2022, at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, surrounded by his family.
Bill was born March 21, 1936 to William Sr. and Louise. He was raised in North Babylon on Long Island and graduated from Babylon High School in 1953. Bill, a brilliant student, later received a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and a master’s degree from Columbia University. He enjoyed a long and successful career as an aerospace engineer, first with Grumman Aerospace Corporation on Long Island and then with Lycoming Engines in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
In 1960, Bill married his high school sweetheart Mary and together they raised seven children in Hauppauge; they were grandparents to 21 grandchildren.
Bill’s Catholic faith and family were the cornerstones of his life. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and it gave him immense pride and joy that he, as an only child born during the Depression, was surrounded by so many kids, even if that meant that family vacations required fitting seven children into a station wagon for hours-long road trips.
Bill enjoyed playing golf, good food and wine, a good book, sunny days in Montauk and Frank Sinatra. He was an avid sports fan and it was wise to avoid a Ted Williams vs. Joe DiMaggio debate with him (of course DiMaggio was better).
Bill is survived by his beloved wife Mary; his children, Maggie (Joe), Billy (Ellen), Sue (Mark), Jim (Anne), Tim (Kelly), Bob (Peggy) and Jennie (John); and his grandchildren Joe (Natalie), Jackie, Willie, Johnny, Grace, Mike, Katie, Jimmy, MaryKate, Tommy, Brian, Jack, Matt, Sam, Maddie, Sophie, Chloe, Jack, Danny, Ellie and Timmy.
The family is planning a private memorial Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101. Letters of condolence may be sent online at damianofuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the March 17 – 23, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
