William H Leach III , 90, Sebastian, Fl., formerly of Point Pleasant Beach and Brick Township

William H. Leach III ("Bill") lived a long, family filled life. He was born to William H and Marguerite Leach II on February 22, 1928 in New Brunswick.  Following graduation from High School he served his country post World War II in the United States Marine Corps from 1946 to 1951. He graduated with a Bachelors degree from Rider College where he met Helen Plate, who would become his wife of 40 years beginning in 1951. Upon graduation from Rider, Bill accepted a position with RCA as a Quality and Work Performance engineer settling briefly in Piscataway, NJ.  After 5 years he was transferred to RCA Mountain Top and moved his wife and growing family to Wilkes-Barre, PA.

In 1961, Bill and Helen moved back to Helen's hometown of Point Pleasant Beach where they raised four rambunctious boys; Craig, Curt, Rick, and Tom. Throughout his family life Bill was sure to instill in his children the values of a strong work ethic, respect, family, and community.

Bill was an entrepreneur and active citizen in Point Pleasant Beach. He was the owner of  Point Pleasant Laundry Service for more than 20 years.  He later also became the owner of Carriage Cleaners. He served as a volunteer firefighter for Point Pleasant Beach Fire Company #2, was an active Member of the Point Pleasant Beach Rotary, and a Member of the Free & Accepted Masons Durand Lodge 179 for 55 years. He also served many years as a Member and Chairman of the Point Pleasant Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment. All four sons graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School and he was always active in their education and activities along the way.

Following the sale of his business in the early 80s, Bill was employed by the State of New Jersey in the Division of Social Services. Bill and Helen also moved to Brick at that time and transitioned into retirement by constantly welcoming their family, particularly their grandchildren, to fish off their dock, take a ride on the boat, or simply share some quality time over a glass of chocolate milk.

Following Helen's passing in 1992, Bill met, fell in love with, and married his second wife Mary Joyce in 1994. Bill and Joyce would spend the next 24 years together gracefully and lovingly devoting themselves to each other and to their family. Together Bill and Joyce enjoyed traveling, splitting time between their homes in New Jersey and Florida, and always remained dedicated to spending time with their children, each others step children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who were spread throughout the country.  Bill also became active in the Greenbriar Kiwanis Club in Brick and American Legion Post 189 during this time.

Bill had been a member of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manasquan for over 65 years and more recently became a member of Christ The King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sebastian, Fl.

Bill passed away peacefully on March 7, 2018 in Sebastian, Fl. just over two weeks after a large family reunion took place in honor of his 90th birthday. In addition to his parents, Bill is predeceased by his wife Helen of 40 years, his sister Margery Hagaman, and his grand daughter Lori Beth Leach.

Bill is survived by Mary Joyce Leach, his wife of 24 years, of Sebastian, Fl., four sons; Dr. W. Craig [Kim] of Wauwatosa, WI., R. Curtis of Point Pleasant, Richard [Therese] of Yardley, Pa., Thomas [Evelyn] of Weathersfield, VT. and four stepchildren; Mary Burke [Don] of Chesapeake, Va., Don Ambrose of Sebastian, Fl., Katie Hingle [Dan] of Los Gatos, Ca., Liz Grinkin [Alex] of Tacoma, WA. He is also survived by two nieces; Barbara Ann Howarth and Cheryl Ann Hagaman. He leaves behind over 50 grandchildren, their spouses, great grandchildren and great nephews and nieces.

A Memorial service will be held in Bill's honor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Manasquan on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10 A.M. A Repast at the Church and Burial at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle will immediately follow.  Charitable donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in memory of Bill Leach.