Obituary of William (Bill) T. Ranzan, Jr.

William (Bill) T. Ranzan, Jr., 89, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully at his home with his family at his side on Saturday, April 24, 2021 after a prolonged illness. He was born on December 11, 1931 in Guttenberg, NJ to the late William W. and Elizabeth A. (née Roschewski) Ranzan. After graduating from Cliffside Park (NJ) High School, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve. A Korean War Era veteran, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. After his military service, he had a 36 year career with New Jersey Bell Telephone Company. In 1961, the family moved to Towaco, NJ where he served 10 years as a volunteer firefighter for the Towaco Volunteer Fire Department before moving to Stroudsburg, PA in 1972 and finally The Villages in 1997.

An avid model railroading enthusiast, he was a member of The Villages Model Railroad Club’s N scale group and a Charter Member of The Villages Railroad Historical Society. Bill was a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood, FL. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father and a talented, creative craftsman, who was always willing to lend a hand to anyone needing help.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 64 years, Audrey (née Meier); five children, Cynthia (Peter) Moll, Mark (Dawn), Douglas, David (Kelly) and Paul (Coleen) and seven grandchildren, Ryan, Stephanie, Hannah, Gregory, Trevor, Eric and Ashley. He lived a long, fulfilling life and was greatly loved by everyone who knew him. He will surely be missed by his family and friends.

The family also wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and Cornerstone Hospice for their support and care throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bill’s name to Cornerstone Hospice (https://cornerstonehospice.org/) or a charity of your choice.

Burial will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 1pm. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Wildwood, FL on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11:00am