William “Bill” Roach Jr., a man of deep intellect, quiet wonder, and boundless affection, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, at the age of 95.
Bill had a lifelong love affair with the mountains. Whether hiking the Blue Ridge, trekking through the Adirondacks, or climbing the great fourteeners of Colorado, he found both solace and adventure in the wild. He was not simply an outdoorsman—he was a keen observer of nature, especially passionate about botanizing, always pausing to study the plants and flowers that others might overlook.
Bill earned his doctorate in mathematics from the University of Oregon in 1956, a milestone that reflected his enduring passion for learning. He went on to enjoy a distinguished career at Bell Laboratories, retiring in 1985.
But perhaps nowhere was Bill’s deep curiosity and devotion to learning more evident than in his extraordinary love of reading. Bill was an avid, insatiable reader, and over the decades, he amassed a personal library so extensive that he had a dedicated library room built to house his vast collection of books. This sanctuary of thought and imagination became the heart of his home—lined wall to wall with the ideas, histories, stories, and thinkers he admired.
Bill spent countless hours in his library and office—reading with quiet intensity, working through a complex math theorem, crafting a thoughtful letter to a friend, or poring over a topographical map as he dreamed of his next adventure. It was here that his spirit came most alive—among his books, his maps, and the gentle scratching of his pencil on paper.
A gifted mathematician, Bill found beauty in numbers and logic, delighting in the quiet challenge of abstract puzzles. But he was equally passionate about staying connected. A devoted and prolific letter writer, Bill’s warm, articulate correspondences bridged time and distance, keeping his extended family and friends close no matter where they lived. His letters—always thoughtful, often wry—were a gift to all who received them.
More than anything, Bill adored his beloved wife, Janet. Theirs was a marriage built on laughter, shared wonder, and deep devotion—a quiet but radiant love that inspired everyone who knew them.
He will be remembered for his kind heart, brilliant mind, gentle soul, and the way he made people feel seen, understood, and loved.
Bill is survived by his sister-in-law Patricia Roach; nieces Margaret Shepherd, Janet Conviser, Diane Howey, and Jerri Franco; nephews Phillip Roach and David Markham; first cousins Ann Roach Starck and Allen Roach; and many dear friends.
A service memorializing Bill’s life will be held on Monday, July 21st at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 325 Little Silver Point Rd., Little Silver, NJ. Following this service, a graveside committal will take place at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, Bill would appreciate a donation to the Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Co. #1, 645 River Rd, Fair Haven, NJ, 07704, in honor of his lifelong respect for public service and community. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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