Obituary of William Ripley

On July 23, 2017, William Henry Ripley passed peacefully into Heaven while surrounded by his loving wife and family, at his home in Whiting NJ. William Henry Ripley, born February 1st, 1930 in Elizabeth, NJ, grew up in Warren Township and attended North Plainfield High School. After graduation, Bill served in the United States Army being stationed in Guam. Upon returning home and marrying his high school sweetheart Betsy Barrett Ripley, the two moved to Davenport Iowa where Bill attended the Palmer School of Chiropractic, graduating in 1951. Following graduation, the couple moved back to New Jersey where Bill partnered with his Brother in Law Fred Diem, opening a Chiropractic practice in Plainfield. Bill next partnered with his brother Richard and opened the Ripley Chiropractic Center in South Plainfield. After several years of the partnerships, Bill moved his family and business to Watchung where he opened a solo practice, the Ripley Chiropractic Center located first on the Watchung Circle, moving later to a larger office and home property at 736 Mountain Boulevard. Bill was a pioneer in the applied science of Kinesiology and drew great satisfaction in bringing healing to his patients through holistic, nutritional and Chiropractic approaches. Retiring from his full time practice in 1997, Bill and Betsy moved to Beachwood NJ and later to Whiting where he and Betsy lived to date. Throughout his so-called retirement, Bill remained active continuing to provide Chiropractic care as well as exercise and wellness classes to seniors throughout the extensive retirement communities of the Whiting area. Bill was very active in numerous professional and service organizations to include- - Member of the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors - Past NJ "Chiropractor of the Year" - Founder and Past President of the Watchung Optimist Club - Instrumental in the starting of various local Optimist Clubs throughout NJ - Member and Past President of the Ocean County Oceanaires Barbershop Chorus - Past member and Choir member of Wilson Memorial Union Church, Watchung - Current member of New Life Church, Toms River NJ - Active volunteer and supporter and choir member of America's Keswick, a Christian organization dedicated to addiction recovery Bill was a talented man who appreciated much of what life had to offer. He enjoyed a lifetime of family camping, motorhome travel, houseboat travel, painting, golf, fishing, skiing and old cars just to name a few. He also enjoyed singing in his church choirs with Betsy and especially with his Barbershop group, the Oceanaires Barbershop Chorus. Bill was also a man of great faith, and of commitment to his extensive family. He is survived by his beloved wife Betsy of 66 years, his 5 children and their spouses; Donna Polperio Fremgen (George Fremgen), Robin Leffert (Russell Leffert), Brenda Loubet (George Loubet), Barrett Ripley (Dawn Ripley), Douglas Ripley (Laura Ripley), and his 23 Grandchildren and 21 Great Grandchildren. Celebrations of Bill's life will be offered in 2 locations. The first Memorial Service will be held at Wilson Memorial Union Church, 7 Valley Road, Watchung, NJ 07069 on Sunday, July 30th, 2017 at 12:00 Noon. A second Memorial service will be held at the New Life Church, 700 Main Street, Toms River on Saturday August 5th, 2017 at 1pm. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to any of the following organizations: America's Keswick, Whiting NJ (americaskeswick.org), New Life Church, Toms River NJ (newlifechurchtr.org), Grace Health Care Services, Edison NJ (gracehcs.com) The family would also like to acknowledge the kind, loving and professional care provided by the members of the Grace Hospice organization, especially Nurses Jeanette, Maxi and Jean whose caring and compassion know no bounds - Thank you.