William Charles “Bill” Barclay, Jr. age 83, of Clayton on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, with his family by his side after succumbing to complications from a heart attack he suffered on January 6th while shoveling snow for a neighbor.
He was a loving husband to his wife of 60 years, Mildred T. Barclay (nee Terilla), who was not only his partner in life but also his best friend. The two soulmates dated for 7 years prior. Bill was the proud father of William C. Barclay, III (Rebecca L. Eastman) of Clayton, Barbara Barclay Moore (John) of Clayton, and Monica Barclay Titus (Glenn) of Williamstown and the cherished grandfather of Alexandra E. Barclay (Anthony DiPasquale), Christina M. Schembri (Travis), William C. Barclay, IV (Katie Singley), Justin Moore (Mikala Moorech), Gabriella Titus, and Adriana Titus. Bill was also the dear brother of Suzanne Lindner (late Michael) of Strathmere. In addition, Bill was a doting grandfather to his four beloved grand-dogs: Sherlock, Luke, CoCo, and Remi, who brought him much joy and companionship.
Bill was born on Saturday, December 20, 1941, to the late William Charles & Lois Elizabeth (nee Gurk) Barclay. His hard work ethic began, as it did for many young men of that era, helping with the family business, the Barclay Funeral Home, which his father started in 1934. As a youth, Bill would build crates for blueberries in the off-season, and then he spent his weekends in the spring and throughout the summer picking blueberries. He washed dishes at school to pay for his lunches, which came with some nice perks, including extra helpings and special treats. Bill was an avid fisherman nearly all his life, with his love for fishing likely coming from time spent with his father on his boat, the “BillyB”. During high school, Bill spent two summers working on the party boat “Starfish” out of Strathmere. He knew how to hustle and always had food and drink at the ready for the fisherman and was quick to help them land their catch and get baited up for another go.
After graduating from Clayton High School in 1960, Bill spent that summer working as a commercial fisherman using his dad’s boat, “BillyB”, selling his catch to local markets. That fall he entered Wesley College in Dover, DE graduating in 1962 with an Associate’s degree. He continued on to Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia graduating in 1963 and becoming a licensed funeral director shortly thereafter.
Bill began his career as a funeral director working for Smith Funeral Home and Mantua Livery for a number of years while also doing trade work for other funeral homes in the area including the Barclay Funeral Home. He worked alongside his dad until he purchased the business from him in 1975. To supplement his income and support his family, he also served as a Medical Investigator for the Gloucester County Medical Examiner’s Office, dedicating 21 years to the office until his retirement from that job in 1995. He worked tirelessly for many years serving the families of Clayton and the surrounding communities during their most difficult times before retiring from full-time work on June 30, 2008.
Throughout his life, Bill was an active member of the West Jersey Funeral Director’s Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Director’s Association, and the National Funeral Director’s Association.
Bill was a devoted and longtime member of the Clayton Volunteer Fire Company and the New Jersey State Firemen’s Relief Association earning an Exempt Certificate for his service. He was quietly very proud of his volunteer service and giving back to the community or lending a helping hand to those in need.
As nearly anyone in the community would know, Bill was an avid walker. It was a near daily sighting to see him briskly walking his designated route of just over three miles around the community with weights in hand, sometimes raising his arms like a bird flapping his wings as he went. A run-in with A-Fib brought his walks down to about two miles, but he never stopped moving.
Throughout his life, Bill loved listening to music. During the 70’s and into the 80’s, the house was filled with the sound of Chicago. In later years, Kenny G. or Celine Dion was sure to be playing whenever he started his vehicle.
Bill was a die-hard NASCAR fan, traveling throughout the country for 50+ years to watch the racing live. He attended the Daytona 500 for 47 consecutive years. While battling Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, he even scheduled his treatments in the Daytona area as not to miss a race. Over those many years of following the races, he and his wife met numerous good people and developed many lifelong friends.
Together, Bill & Mill were passionate about traveling and exploring new places, much of that in the many motorhomes they owned over the years. They visited 47 of the 50 states, missing only Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Additionally, they traveled to several island resorts as well as Nova Scotia and Ontario, Canada.
For years, they enjoyed the winter months in their motorhome in Port Saint Lucie, Florida and recently built a winter home there. Every year, they looked forward to spending time with their Florida friends. Bill loved the close proximity to the ocean which allowed him to venture out onto the docks and explore the boats, indulging his curiosity and fascination with the mechanics of them.
Bill enjoyed spending time with all of his grandchildren, watching them grow over the years. He was there for milestones in each of their lives and loved attending their sporting and school events. Many a summer day was spent watching his grandchildren in the family pool.
Much of his time in retirement was spent tinkering with and fixing things around the house. He would happily spend hours working on projects for family.
Like his father and grandfather before him, the favorite part of every meal for Bill was dessert. The meal was not done until a proper dessert was had, and room was always left for dessert.
He was a dedicated son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Bill will be remembered for his kindness, hardworking nature, and unwavering love for his family. His sense of humor, generous spirit, and his selfless help of others endeared him to all who knew him. Bill’s passion for life and his deep love for Mill, his family, and community will leave a lasting legacy.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and again on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312. Funeral service on Wednesday at 11:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Cedar Green Cemetery in Clayton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Bill to the Clayton Volunteer Fire Company, 107 W. High Street, Clayton, NJ 08312. Sign the guestbook and send condolences at BarclayFuneralHome.net.
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