Obituary of William Owen Heilman

William Owen Heilman, age 81, performed the Irish goodbye on Monday, November 22, 2021.

He was born in Elizabeth, NJ on April 6, 1940.

William proudly served his country from 1958-1964 aboard the U.S.S. Abbot (DD 629 Destroyer) during the Vietnam War.

He became a firefighter first in Millburn, NJ, and then transferred in 1964 to Newark, NJ. William rose through the ranks to become Fire Captain of the Newark Fire Department until his retirement in 1988.

He also founded the Heilman Trucking with his son, William, which was located in Millburn, NJ for over thirty years.

William has been a member of the VFW for 55 years, the American Legion for 50 years, and has been a member of the Watchung Hills Lodge #885 for 35 years.

He is preceded in death to his late wife Paula of fifty years, who passed away in 2014.

William was married to his late wife Paula for 50 years and were blessed with three children

William is survived by his three children: William Heilman, and his wife, Kerri, Laura McNicholl, and her husband, Michael, and Denise Heilman, and her husband, Charlie Boschen; and seven grandchildren: William Heilman, Alex Heilman, Caitlin McNicholl, Conor McNicholl, Liam McNicholl, Bowen Grasso, and Mason Subach.

William was known for his great sense of humor and witty jokes.

He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.