Johnson Walton Funeral Home

William P. Pursell

William P. Pursell

William P. Pursell, age 80, of Milford, New Jersey, passed away on October 16, 2019 at St. Luke's Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, NJ surrounded by his family.

Born on December 30, 1938, in Upper Black Eddy, PA, he grew up in both Upper Black Eddy and Milford. He was the only child of Peter and Rosemary Young Pursell and graduated from Frenchtown High School. He married the love of his life, Barbara Lines Pursell on February 21, 1959.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Bill worked for the First National Bank of Milford, Citizens Bank, Town & Country Bank, Summit Bank, and retired as Vice President of Commercial Lending from Fleet Bank in 2001. He was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking and past President of the Easton, PA chapter. He was former President of the Hunterdon County Bankers Association, and served as Chairman of the NJ Bankers Association Consumer Credit Committee and various state banking committees.

Bill was the zoning officer for the Borough of Milford as well as past member of the Planning Board. He was proud to be a key volunteer for the Milford Alive community day committee. He was an active volunteer mentor for Central Jersey SCORE (Service Corps. of Retired Executives).
In addition, he was a former instructor of banking courses for Hunterdon County Adult Education, was a former member of the Hunterdon Rotary Club, and was a member and former President of the Board of Trustees for the First United Church of Christ in Milford.

Bill's family was involved in stock car racing and sprint car racing for 35 years. He was the car owner for his son's racing team. In addition, he was a member of the CARS for Matheny Committee, a group of race fans and drivers whom raised funds for the Matheny School for Cerebral Palsied Children.

Bill is survived by his daughter Diane Pursell Tracy and her partner David Pratt of Flemington, NJ, and his son Scott Pursell of Milford. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 4-6 PM at the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Holland Township, NJ. A Memorial Service with Military Honors will follow at 6 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Church of Christ, 48 Church Street, Milford, NJ, 08848 or the Matheny School, PO Box 339, Peapack, NJ, 07977 or online at www.matheny.org/donate.

Condolences

From: John Barrick
Diane, Scott and Dave my thoughts are with you all during these difficult days. I did not know your dad, but it looks like he had a fantastic life.

From: amy standera
Scott, Diane and Dawn...so sorry for your loss, he was a great guy, always a joy to be around.

From: Deb Smith
So very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Remember him well from those days at the Nazarerh half mile. Thoughts and prayers to Bill's family

From: Bill and Carol Benner
We were shocked to read of Bill’s passing having just had lunch with him last month. He was a banker’s banker and a special friend. We are so sorry for your loss.

From: Charylene Matthews
Diane & Scott - Sending my heartfelt condolences on your Dad's passing. He was a great guy & I always enjoyed talking to both he & your Mom. Please know you are in my thoughts & prayers.

From: Lee and Nancy Snyder
Scott and Diane : So sorry for the loss of your Mom Barbara and now your Dad Bill. Our children grew up with both of you in Milford, Condolences and prayers from all of our family.

From: Stephen Silberman
I knew Bill as a fellow mentor in SCORE. We both lived in Hunterdon County and thus were frequently scheduled together. I will miss Bill's knowledge and enthusiasm. My condolences to all who mourning his passing.

From: Todd Rittenhouse
Scott, Diane and Dawn. So sorry about Bill's passing. You are in out thoughts at this difficult time. God bless you all .

From: Shirley legg
So sorry for your loss Dad was a very nice man he will be missed

From: Allie Tischio Lull
Allie Tischio Lull. To Diane and Scott, Your dad was a precious man in my life! When I started working at Town & Country Bank in 1984, this "on the surface only" gruff man who was a "mush" underneath, took me under his wing. I was a single mom without banking experience and he seemed to know the stresses of raising two teens. Through the years, he helped me many times ... to find a used car when mine died, he explained the many facets of banking so that I could succeed in my "new career" (I was a biology teacher without a job!) and even when the banks merged and my position was eliminated, it was he who gave me the first contact in a string of networking ops that eventually led to a 15 year career at J&J! I am sure you, Milford and many friends will miss him. I know I will never forget him.

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