Dedicated Elks Member Dies at 87

Red Bank Elks leader William M. Barnes died on Saturday, July 13, at his Middletown home at the age of 87.

Bill was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Elmer and Helen (Brown) Barnes. He proudly served the country during WWII from 1946 to 1949 in the U.S. Air Force. Bill and Margaret started their family in Pittsburgh after eloping to Atlantic City. Bill was then transferred to New Jersey and became vice president of Oremco Coal Trade Co. in New York City where he retired in 1987. 

After he retired, Bill volunteered at the Red Bank Elks where he served as exalted ruler and served on many committees. His greatest satisfaction came from running the scholarship program.

Bill was happiest in the company of his family and friends. He created many memories for his family during summer vacations at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Bill was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church of Red Bank, and his relationship with God brought him comfort and peace. 

He was predeceased by his parents, his stepmother, Anna Frasch and his sister, Betty Tinkham. 

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret (Baney) Barnes. They spent 66 years of marriage together celebrating their anniversary on July 3rd, 2013 at home.

He is also survived by: his sons, William of Jacksonville, FL, Gregory and Ellen Coogan, of Green Bay, WI, and Thomas, of Tinton Falls; his daughters Carol Simmons, and husband Tenny, of Fair Haven, Leslie Tweed, and husband Ed, of Roseville, CA, Patricia Keeran, and husband Jack, of Asheville, NC, and Kimberly Ambrose, and husband Joseph, of Fair Haven; his sisters, Dorothy Neilson, of Westchester, PA, Helen Duff, of York, PA, and Esther Fornoff, and husband Adam, of NY; his grandchildren, Kristy and Tenny Simmons, Sean and Billy Tweed, Shane and Dana Keeran, Carli, Kelsey and Chloe Ambrose and Reese Barnes. 

Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank. A funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Red Bank, 247 Broad St., Red Bank on Wednesday, July 17 at 11 a.m. Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to: Red Bank Elks Lodge 233, 40 W Front St Red Bank, NJ 07701 or Scholarship Fund or Dream Street Foundation 324 S. Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, Ca. 90212.