Obituary of William Howard Burgess

William H. Burgess Obituary March 2025

William H. Burgess of Denville, NJ. Bill passed away peacefully at home on March 30, 2025, in the loving presence of his beloved wife, Ann, and his 3 devoted daughters, Amy, Claudia, and Lisa. He was 94.

Born on May 28, 1930 to John Burgess and Adele Yenny Burgess, Bill was raised in West Orange, NJ, He met Ann Lawler during high school. After returning home from serving in the US Army during the Korean War, Bill and Ann were married on October 24, 1953, had 3 daughters, and enjoyed 71 years of marriage.

Bill began working at the Prudential Insurance Company in Newark, NJ in 1950 and had a long, successful career. He was instrumental in the initiation and development of Computer Services and Information Technology. In the mid 1970’s, Bill moved to the new Prudential complex in Roseland, NJ where he served as Vice President of Computer Systems & Services until his retirement in 1992.

From West Orange, Bill and Ann moved to West Caldwell in 1976 and later moved to a lovely condo in Mt Arlington, NJ.  Additionally, they enjoyed life in Naples, FL during the winter months for 18 years. Their daughters, their husbands, and the grandchildren had wonderful family vacations with Bill and Ann. Most recently, they moved to The Oaks in Denville, NJ.

A man of faith, Bill was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Orange, NJ where he served as an Elder, a member of Session, and Sunday School teacher. In later years, he and Ann belonged to the Parsippany Presbyterian Church and then First Presbyterian Church of Berkshire Valley in Wharton, NJ.

Over the years, the Burgess family enjoyed beach vacations at Cape Cod and lake vacations in Waterford, Maine. Bill took up running in the 1980's and continued his early morning runs for many years. Ann & Bill took sailing lessons in NY and FL and enjoyed sailing their boat in the Hudson River and at Spruce Run Reservoir in NJ.  Bill and Ann traveled extensively in the US and enjoyed trips to Canada and the UK. Every holiday was always a special gathering where the family all enjoyed each other.

Bill will be deeply missed by his wife Ann, daughters Amy Steele and husband Roy, Claudia McGuckin and husband Michael, and Lisa Karew and husband Steven. Grandchildren Jazmin, Jaqueline, Francisco and wife Snizhana Steele, Emily and Katie McGuckin, and Jonah and Jeremy Karew are so appreciative of the time they spent with their grandfather. Two young great grandchildren, Kashton and Marvin, will grow up seeing photos and hearing stories about their great Grandpa. Sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews will all remember Bill with love.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ.  A prayer service will be held at 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Bill’s favorite charities: Samaritan’s Purse or Operation Smile. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.