William E. Fitzgerald, age 87, of Palmyra, NJ, formerly of Delran, NJ passed on June 7, 2023.

Son of the late Harriett M. (nee Snyder) and Edgar W. Fitzgerald, William was born in Ogdensburg, NY on November 30, 1935 and grew up in Watertown, NY.

Bill attended New York State Ranger School, in the heart of the Adirondacks, receiving a certificate of completion for courses in forestry and surveying.  With his great enthusiasm in forestry, he went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Management, with a minor in Wildlife, from Purdue University.  While in Indiana he met the love of his life, the lovely Patricia L. Kelker. Marrying in 1962, they moved to Oregon where he'd been working for Bureau of Land Management as a Forester and Contract Administrator until moving East, to NJ.

Bill worked for the U.S. Federal Government for over 30-years in the Philadelphia area where his work experience took on numerous name changes including, the Bureau Outdoor Recreation (BOR) 1966, Heritage Conservation & Recreation Service (HCRS), and National Park Service (NPS). Bill enjoyed six months of retirement before testing out numerous other positions working for Contemporary Staffing Solutions and finally PHH Mortgage.

His greatest loves were his faith, family, and nature. He most enjoyed long walks in the outdoors, talking with the birds in their language, spotting the hidden animals along the way and naming the animals who'd walked before him by looking at their tracks.

William was predeceased by his beloved wife, Patricia L. Fitzgerald (nee Kelker), and is survived by his children, Colleen Mayhew and her husband James, Cathleen Bender and her husband Ronald, and Timothy Fitzgerald. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ashley, Kyle, TJ, Andrew, David and Zachary, along with his brother, Michael D. Fitzgerald.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his graveside services at 10:00 AM on

Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 500 Marne Highway, Hainesport, NJ 08036. Remembrances may be shared with his family at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com. Arrangements by the Weber Funeral Home, 112 Broad Street, Riverton, NJ 08077