Deacon William J. Rumaker Sr. of West Deptford, who served all of his ministry in National Park, died Feb. 23. He was 96.
“Deacon Bill,” as he was known, served as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. Deaf in his right ear since childhood, he remained stateside, serving his country during the Korean War as a cook at Camp Polk, now Fort Polk, in Louisiana.
Deacon Bill was ordained to the permanent diaconate on Oct. 15, 1988, by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle. He was assigned to Saint Matthew Church in National Park (now part of Holy Angels Parish), where he remained until his retirement in 2006.
As a deacon, he presided at the baptisms of numerous parish children, as well as some of his grandchildren and several members of his extended family. He officiated at two family weddings.
From selling 50-50 tickets to support the parish, to driving patients to their medical appointments, he was remembered as “consistent and dependable” in the announcement of his passing.
Deacon Bill worked as a pressman for the Curtis Publishing Company from 1945 to 1969, when the company closed. That same year, he began working at Shell Chemical in West Deptford as a boiler operator. In 1987, the plant was purchased by Huntsman Polypropylene; he retired in 1996.
He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Marie (née O’Connor), as well as his sister, Mary, and her husband, Titus; and his brothers, Joseph (Norma), George (May), Robert (Maryann), John (Patricia) and Michael.
Deacon Bill is survived by his brothers Paul (Elaine) and David (Dorothy), as well as five sons: William Jr. (Theresa), John Sr. (Victoria), Thomas (Diane), Patrick (Charles) and Matthew (Kimberly). He is also survived by seven grandchildren: William III (Colleen), Alicia, John Jr., Daniel (Holly), Justine (Zach), Molly and Christopher. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Kaylee, William IV and Connor. He leaves behind dozens of nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held from 5-8 p.m. on March 6 and 9-10 a.m. on March 7 at the McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the viewing March 7 at Saint Matthew’s Church, 4th and Monument Street, National Park. Interment will be at New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, 515 West Browning Road, Bellmawr.
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