William H. Epps

William H. Epps, age 65 years, of High Bridge, NJ, died Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, NJ. Raised in Newark, he lived in Piscataway NJ for many years before moving to High Bridge NJ ten years ago.

Born November 17, 1950 in Newark NJ, Bill was the son of the late Joseph and Maggie Marie (Butts) Epps. He graduated from Newark Arts High School in 1968 where he studied art, played basketball and ran track. After graduation, he attended Kings College and worked driving a truck and was a mechanic for Pabst Brewery in Newark. He successfully completed "Outward Bound Physical Readiness Training" in Colorado. Bill joined the US Postal Service in 1972, where he became an Accident Investigator and Transportation Supervisor in Kearney NJ. Bill retired from the post office after 36 years, where he received numerous awards for never taking a sick day. For seven years he was an Auxiliary Police Officer in Irvington NJ.

A consummate sports fan, Bill enjoyed bowling, the martial arts, boxing and following basketball and football programs, especially the Green Bay Packers. He was an accomplished martial artist, achieving a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tai Kwon Do, a Brown Belt in Kung Fu, a 4th degree black belt in American Karate and, for many years, taught karate to children. He won numerous national and local martial arts tournaments throughout the years.

Bill was a good neighbor and friend, would always take time to lend an ear, or fix the car of someone in need, at no cost. He was a great man, a devoted husband and loving father, and will be missed by many.

In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his brother, Patrick Epps. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Joyce Brown Epps, his daughter and son-in-law, Tanya and Ranson Gaymon of Philadelphia PA, his sons and their fiancés, William Jarret and Jessica (Iselin) Epps of High Bridge NJ, and Jeremy and Kyara (Johnson) Epps of High Bridge NJ, his brother, Joseph Epps of Cherry Hill NJ, and his four grandchildren, Sinaka and Kiera Garcia, Ranson Gaymon, Jr. and Faith Epps. Most of all, he loved the Lord and his family dearly, including his extended family, especially his Brothers-in-law, Gilbert Brown and Rick Cook, whom he loved like his own brothers.

A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday May 28, 2016 at Faith Temple Church, 57 Prospect Street, East Orange NJ 07017. Cremation was private and under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.