On November 13, 2024, William E. Van Pelt, affectionately known to family and friends as Bill and by his lifelong nickname “Butch,” passed away at the age of 91.

Born and raised in Keyport, NJ, and a resident of Morganville, NJ, for over 55 years, Butch was educated locally and served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On July 9, 1966, he married the love of his life, Antoinette, at St. Benedict’s Church in Holmdel, NJ. Together, they raised two daughters, Marie and Elizabeth.

Butch spent over 40 years as a dedicated Service Technician for Elizabethtown Natural Gas Company. Beyond his professional life, he was an avid and accomplished adventurer. As a master skydiver, he logged over 550 parachute jumps and spent much of his time at Marlboro or Old Bridge Airports, as well as at Wall Stadium auto racing track, where he used his talents as a skilled aerial and land photographer. Over the years, Bill’s photography hobby led to various local assignments as a sports photographer for area schools, particularly St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel, NJ, where he was honored with a plaque on the school’s Wall of Fame.

Butch was a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club of Holmdel, the Knights of Columbus, and the United States Parachute Association. In his leisure time, he enjoyed photography, listening to the music of Frank Sinatra, and curating an impressive collection of classic jazz records. Butch will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing such a special and inspiring person.

Butch is survived by his wife of 58 years, Antoinette “Ann”; his daughters, Marie and Elizabeth; his sons-in-law, Stephen and Scott; and his grandchildren, Gia, Nick, and Dwight “DJ”.

Memorial viewing services will be held on Monday, November 25, from 4–8 p.m. at the Holmdel Funeral Home, Holmdel, NJ. A Funeral Mass will follow on Tuesday, November 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Clement Church, Matawan, NJ. Entombment to follow in Holmdel Mausoleum, Holmdel.