William Thomas James

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of William Thomas James on (Wednesday, January 26, 2022) at the age of 69 years in New Milford, New Jersey. Surrounded by his family, his lengthy battle with cancer came to an end allowing him to rest in peace. 

William was predeceased by mother Mary Ellen Brennan. He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his daughters, Laura and Andrea with their husbands Brian and Pablo, along with their mother Sonia James, his father William Davy James and wife Joy, sister Ruth O’Mealia, nephews Evtin and Ethan, as well as extended family members and friends. 

William, often referred to as Bill (Dad, Daddio, Pops), was born in Maine on August 22, 1952. He went to high school in Yonkers, college in upstate New York and later university in Idaho where he studied forestry, which was a lifelong passion of his. He loved to tell stories about his experiences in Idaho, which held a soft place in his heart, as well as sharing his adventures in the Adirondacks. William loved anything related to observing and spending time in nature and was able to name and give background information about any tree or bird species in a matter of seconds. He was referred to as the “Squirrel Whisperer”, making it a point to leave seed mixes for his animal friends who visited him often at his doorstep. 

William spent a majority of his life in New Jersey and loved anything that involved spending time with family and friends - going to the Jersey shore, golfing and playing tennis, fishing, camping, watching football, cooking and sharing meals together, and hiking around places like Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain. 

At William’s request, no memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in support of Cancer Research Institute. The family wishes to thank the VHS hospice care team for their assistance, and a profound thanks to his close childhood friend, Mark McKenna, who helped to care for him at a crucial moment in William’s transition into hospice. 

Bill’s remains will be shared with close family and friends who will ensure his ashes are spread in places that hold emotional significance - where quality time was spent together and good memories were made. He will be fondly remembered and will remain in the loving hearts of the lives he touched beyond his transition into a place of rest and light. 

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