Obituaries

William Arthur Poyner of Tinton Falls, NJ passed away on February 15, 2025 at the age of 97.

Born in Newark, he grew up in Belleville NJ. He was the son and only child of Mary Elizabeth Roe and Albert Lynn Poyner. Art accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior during his High School years and for the 97 years of life that the Lord Blessed him with, he was active in both church, community and school activities. Upon graduation Art was accepted into Stevens Institute of Technology and earned a degree in Civil Engineering in 1951.

Art served in the Army during Korean War from 1952 – 1954 stationed in Iran working in communications and strategy. He was awarded the Medal of Meritorious Honor. He returned home and married Mary Elizabeth Whitfield on August 3, 1956, whom he met at Church Youth Group. Together they raised 3 children, Marilyn, David and Scott. Art worked as an Engineer at Fort Monmouth in Eatontown, fondly known as Bill by co-workers.

Over the years Dad served on every committee of the Red Bank UMC, sang in the Chancel Choir, served as Sunday School Superintendent and assisted in the Nursery and other Sunday School classes as needs arose. Art was often seen helping shovel snow at the church parking lot, set up and take-down of tables for flea markets, cook and cleanup for church dinners (our family favorite was always the Corned Beef & Cabbage dinner hosted by the Men’s group. When Dad was not volunteering at Church he might be seen selling Christmas Tree’s at the RB YMCA, teaching reading & math with the YMCA tutoring program, performing on the stage of Shrewsbury Boro School to help raise monies in conjunction with the PTA.

In Nov 2005, He and our mom moved to Seabrook Village where Mom could receive greater care for her progressing Parkinsons. Five years after Mom passed, Art married Barbara Keeley on April 2, 2015. Together they attended church, dinner-dances at Seabrook, BINGO nights, concerts etc.

Art was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

What he would like for you to remember most of all is not his vast accomplishments but to understand what Jesus did for each of us on the Cross. All Dad’s accomplishments were a direct response to his acceptance of Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

William Arthur Poyner is survived by his wife Barbara, children Marilyn and Edward J. Vines, David and Jackie Poyner and Scott Poyner. Grand Children: Dr. Claire Payne, Elise M. E. Vines, Tyler Poyner, Stephanie Poyner and Great Grandson John Poyner.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 29th at 11 am at United Methodist Church of Red Bank, 247 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ has been entrusted with the arrangements.