Stubborn until the very end, William (Bill) T. Reed passed away peacefully after a long illness on March 30th, 2026 at Hackettstown Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was a beloved husband, brother, father, and Bubba.
Born November 12th, 1959 in Phillipsburg, NJ, Bill grew up in Hackettstown and spent the last 18 years residing in Panther Valley. During his youth, he spent hours on his bike and enjoyed his time as a Boy Scout with his Scout Leader parents. He attended Hackettstown High School and worked a variety of jobs locally. He volunteered with Hackettstown Rescue Squad, trained as a paramedic for Saint Clare’s, and spent many years as a dispatcher for Hackettstown Police Department with his brothers. He was a ‘friend’ of Smokey the Bear and Santa Claus, visiting children’s hospitals and over the years supported various youth charities. Bill retired as a Police Sergeant for the Department of Defense at Picatinny Arsenal.
Bill was an avid reader and a fan of the magic of Walt Disney World trips, Nascar racing, fishing, the Mets, and classic country music. He was also a proud member of the NRA and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 100. Over the years, he held a variety of roles at multiple local gun clubs, including Chief Range Safety Officer. He worked hard to become an NRA certified instructor and was proud of the many courses he taught.
Predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Mildred (Lynn) Reed, his sister, Patricia, brothers Kenneth and Jack, in-laws Salvatore and Jessie Pinto, and brothers-in-law, Richard Pinto and John Wernau.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Angela (Pinto), his daughter, Kelly Brenner, and ever-patient son-in-law Brian Brenner, sisters-in-law Florence Reed, Linda (Ray) Hendershot, Phyllis (Heinz) Zimmass, Dolores Wernau, many nieces and nephews and friends.
He will be missed the most by the greatest joys of his life, his grandchildren – Dylan Vaughn Reed, Everly Ray Brenner and Auden Lynn Brenner. As a baby, Dylan called him Bubba and the name stuck for the last 18 years. Being their Bubba was truly the highlight of his later years. He was always ready to share a corny Dad joke, tell a story (just slightly embellished each time), set a prank (fake spiders and skeletons were always effective) or have a pretend picnic and cup of coffee from the girls’ play coffee shop. While Bubba had a gruff bear persona, he really had a heart of gold and his grandchildren were so lucky to have him.
Services are in care of Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Bill’s family requests your presence and memories to be shared at a viewing on Saturday, April 4th, 2026 from 10 am to 12 pm with a graveside service and interment immediately following at Union Cemetery, Hackettstown.
For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com.
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15 Condolences for Reed, William T.
Condolences(15)
eddie meeker says
April 3, 2026 at 1:09 pmCondolences to the entire Reed family. There’s a place in heaven for everyone…until we meet again..rest in peace
Angela & Family says
April 11, 2026 at 12:52 amEddie, thank you for your kind and thoughtful words.
Gordana Curovic says
April 3, 2026 at 1:54 pmDear Angela & Family,
So sorry for your loss!
Sending lots of Love and Prayers with hope that you can find peace in the love and memories you shared. Love, Gordana
Angela & Family says
April 11, 2026 at 12:53 amThanks, G, for all of your love and support during this difficult time.
Eileen M Cornell says
April 3, 2026 at 8:12 pmAngela, I was so saddened to read about Bill’s passing. I have such fond (and funny) memories of your MANY visits to the pumphouse with ” little Kelly”. May he rest in peace and may the many years you shared together help you thru this difficult time….love to you and Kelly
Angela, Kelly & Family says
April 11, 2026 at 1:00 amEileen Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It means so much to Kel and me. Bill and I celebrated many, many wonderful events (and some sad ones) over the years with you at the Pumphouse. It was our “go to” place and you and your family were like part of our family.
I will cherish all of those memories. We were sad when you decided to retire and close and we spoke of you often. Please reach out directly. Would love to touch base with you. Thank you again. Angela
Paul & Robin Wallace says
April 3, 2026 at 9:27 pmDear Reed Family
Bill was a classmate through the Hackettstown School System, and fellow Graduate of the Class of 1978. Always a gentleman and person you had to like.
I know these words will be of little comfort, please know my Wife and I are praying for the comfort only our FATHER in Heaven can provide.
GOD Bless You All
Paul & Robin Wallace
Angela & Family says
April 11, 2026 at 1:02 amPaul & Robin.Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words and prayers. Appreciate it.
Chick Dimiceli says
April 4, 2026 at 1:39 amMy condolence to the Reed Family I use to cut the whole Reed family hair Bills father and brothers and it was a lot of laughter Bill sat around the shop the last day before I retired he wanted to be my last customer He got his first haircut there as a kid I use to tell him if he could sit in the buster chair now I would cut his hair free for the rest of his life lots of good memories God Bless
John Gumann says
April 4, 2026 at 1:52 pmOn behalf of myself and the Shongum Sportsmen’s Association we offer our condolences to Bill’s family. He was a 20 year member very active with individual member and overall range safety.
His leadership in these areas are appreciated and will be remembered.
Angela & Family says
April 11, 2026 at 1:08 amChick thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. I remember Bill insisting that he had to get his hair cut by you one more time. I often heard the stories about your shop and how he had his first haircut there. And that your barbershop was a tradition! He enjoyed all the fun and laughter there. Thank you for the great memories he had and for thinking of him now.
Angela and Family says
April 11, 2026 at 1:15 amJohn Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. Bill enjoyed spending time at the range, especially being the range safety officer. He was proud to be an instructor and loved teaching many classes there. He had alot of fond memories of the place and his friends there. Appreciate you all remembering him.
Liz Iacampo says
April 4, 2026 at 5:28 pmI knew Billy from 1st grade. Very sad to hear of his passing. Peace and comfort to his family.
Angela & Family says
April 11, 2026 at 1:16 amThanks, Liz, for your kind and thoughtful words. It means so much to us. Thanks for remembering him fondly after all these years.
Angela & the Reed & Brenner Family says
April 11, 2026 at 1:22 amOur Family thanks everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We appreciate everyone who shared their time and fond memories of Bill. While we are devastated by our loss, we pray that Bill is resting in Peace now.
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