Obituary of William H. Temple, Sr.

William H. Temple, Sr., of Randolph, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Hackettstown Medical Center. He was74 years young.

Born in Jersey City to the late George and Marie Temple he was raised in Lyndhurst. After graduating from Lyndhurst High School, he proudly served our country in the United States Army in the Vietnam War. He met his soulmate, Catherine Ballantyne, in Kearny and they were married on September 30, 1967. Together they settled in Randolph to raise their beautiful family of five. He made a very successful 35+ year career for himself as a Machinist working first for Howmedica, then Pfizer, before retiring from Biomet in Denville in 2007.

Bill enjoyed fly fishing, playing card games, and all thing sports. He loved attending all of the athletic events in his hometown of Randolph; football games, wrestling matches, basketball games – the sport didn’t matter, just that he was there to show his support. One of his greatest passions was spending time with his American Legion buddies, both Wharton Post #91 and Denville Post #390 and also his VFW friends in Kenvil Post #2833. Above anything else, his family came first in his life. After Catherine’s passing in 2007, Bill stepped up to the plate to take on the role of mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather to his growing family. A fierce defender, guider, and protector for them all, he was active at every event and special occasion in both his children and grandchildren’s lives. He sincerely was an outstanding man and we were blessed to call him ours. His generous heart, infectious spirit, contagious laugh, and unconditional love will live on for generations to come.

He leaves only joyful memories to his adored children, Megan Jenkins and her husband James of Hackettstown, William H. Temple, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Flemington, and Lynn Zaleski and her husband Kevin of Florham Park; his treasured grandchildren, Ryan Jenkins, Tyler Jenkins, Emily Temple, Zachary Jenkins, Madelyn Temple, Alexis Zaleski, and Andrew Zaleski; and many more extended family and friends.

Public Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 21st from 4 – 8 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Funeral Service will take place on Friday, November 22nd at 10:00 am at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Arlington Cemetery in Kearny. Memorial Donations are being accepted to the Purple Heart Foundation, Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Inc., Attn: Tina, PO Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003, or the American Cancer Society, 7 Ridgedale Avenue, Suite #103, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of William for his family to cherish.