Obituary of William Lamanteer

William Lamanteer peacefully passed away on March 2, 2024 at Cooper Medical Center after a prolonged illness which he fought with vigor. William (Bill) was born on July 26, 1945 in Bridgeton, N.J. to Charles and Marie Margaret Lamanteer. With both of his parents passing early in his life, Bill and his nine siblings largely raised one another, forming a life-long tight knit relationship. Bill with his siblings: Paul Lamanteer, Bruno Lamanteer, Rose Beck, Alice Headley, Lucy Duffield, Anthony Lamanteer, Christine Makos, Theresa Lamanteer-Gilbert, and John Lamanteer, maintained the family home each taking on various jobs to support the family. His unique childhood experience instilled in him an independent spirit, and a jack-of-all-trades approach that served him well throughout his life. A graduate of Bridgeton High School, Class of 1963 Bill spent his professional life building and creating with an artist’s eye. He worked at Wheaton Glass and Durand Glass creating molds, many of which became Avon Perfume bottles, and other collectable glass pieces. He also was a certified carpenter, and a certified realtor for over 40 years which suited his life-long interest in woodworking and property management. In his younger years he enjoyed dancing, and being out on the water, especially boating and windsurfing. As a parent he and Joyce would take long road trips with his young children, including skiing in Vermont, fishing, hiking among waterfalls, enjoying beaches and lakes, and taking his children to theme parks and zoos. He spent his time with his children playing cards, badminton, swimming, enjoying food, and debating on many topics. Bill was a man devoted and protective of his wife and his family, but he also enjoyed stirring it up and being provocative. He was a lifelong supporter of the NRA and was a man of firm opinions with a great deal of humor and kindness beneath his tough exterior. In his later years Bill took comfort in his faith and the support of Central Baptist Church in Millville, enjoying radio shows, old western movies, and his cats. To the very end he maintained a deep love of family, and a feisty spirit. He is survived by his loving wife of over forty years Joyce (nee Long), his three children and their spouses: William Patrick (Donna) of Robertsonville, N.C., Margaret Marie of Gibsonville, N.C., and Kenneth Dale (David) of Galloway, N.J., two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his surviving siblings Rose Beck, Alice Headley, Anthony Lamanteer, and Theresa Lamanteer-Gilbert, along with a large number of nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Bill’s life and memory on Thursday March 7, 2024 at Padgett’s Funeral Home, 1107 State Highway 77 Bridgeton New Jersey 08302. Viewing will take place from 10-11 am, memorial service immediately following. Interment will be at Laurel Lawn Cemetery, 170 Old Deerfield Pike, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. For those who wish to make a donation In lieu of flowers, Bill was a supporter of various charities supporting Israel (https://www.ifcj.org), and of the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in Vineland, N.J. https://ybu.af3.myftpupload.com/. The family encourages the submission of written memories and photos to through the funeral home website using the tribute wall at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.