William Joseph Boehm

William Joseph (“Bill”) Boehm, age 96, of Whiting, New Jersey, passed away on August 21, 2026. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Adolph Gustave Boehm and Magdalene Beck Boehm, two sisters, and three brothers; his older brother Adolph Aloysius (“Otto”) Boehm and he were the only siblings to live past childhood. Survivors include his three sons, William J. Boehm Jr. (wife Rosanne Hallowell) of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania; John Timothy Boehm (wife Lisa Marie) of Califon, New Jersey; and David Andrew Boehm (wife Lilani) of Columbo, Sri Lanka; as well as 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and his fiancée Pat Heldrech.

Raised in Iselin, New Jersey, Bill had many interests; his most enduring were music and sports. A graduate of Woodbridge High School Class of 1947, he studied clarinet in sixth grade, switched to trumpet in ninth grade, and finally to baritone horn (euphonium) in eleventh grade. Bill was a member of the 1947 New Jersey All State Band in his senior year in high school.

After graduation Bill moved to Plainfield, New Jersey, and lived with his brother, Otto, sister-in-law Florence (née Boyland) and their two daughters, Rita and Laura. He joined the New Jersey National Guard 50th Armored Division Band in 1948 and served honorably until 1981, retiring as a master sergeant. Bill met his first wife Margaret (“Maggie”) Armstrong while in Plainfield; they married in 1951 and moved to Middletown and eventually to North Plainfield, New Jersey. Bill was very involved in his sons’ lives and in the community. He served as Cub Scout Master and Assistant Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts organization. He also coached his sons’ Little League teams. Later he became a member of the North Plainfield Board of Education, serving for 6 years, 3 years as president. He was eventually appointed to the North Plainfield Borough Council to fill a vacant seat, after which he ran for election and served another 4 years. In 1986, Bill and Maggie moved to Forked River in Lacey Township, where he eventually served as a member of the Lacey Township planning board for a number of years, as well as Mayor for 2 terms. Maggie died in 2000, after 49 years of marriage.

Bill’s second marriage, in 2001 was to childhood friend and former classmate Doris Paulin. Bill and Doris had reconnected at their 50th high school reunion. They moved to Pheasant Run community in Forked River and enjoyed their time together, which included annual trips to Florida as well as other travels as well as making new friends together. Doris passed away in December of 2017, but Bill remained close to Doris’s daughter Karen Scalera of Middlesex, New Jersey.

In 2008 Bill moved to and independent living apartment in Crestwood Manor in Whiting, New Jersey. He kept in touch with Pat Heldrech, a former neighbor from Pheasant Run, and they eventually became engaged. Bill eagerly participated in the social life at Crestwood Manor, including joining the chorus, serving as a resident maintenance volunteer, playing bridge, and joining his friends for dinner in the dining hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ocean County Public Library in Bill’s memory.

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