Plan for the Future
August William Drexler, Jr., “Bill”, of Cedar Knolls, passed away at Heath Village in Hackettstown. He was 93.
Born in Newark, NJ to the late Gertrude and August W. Drexler, Sr., Bill attended Columbia High School in Maplewood, graduating in 1945. He later attended Rutgers University Night School. He served as a Master Sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard’s 113th Armored Division from 1947 – 1957. He received the New Jersey National Guard Medal of Merit.
Bill resided in Maplewood and Belleville before moving to Cedar Knolls in 1967. He worked for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Newark for 41 years, before retiring in 1988. He continued working for MBL in Customer Service until October of 1998.
He was an active member of the Newark Junior Chamber of Commerce from October, 1959 to November, 1965 and was awarded JCI Senatorship in 1966, the highest Jaycee award presented to young men who distinguished themselves in Jaycee activities. He was the State Director and Vice President of the Newark Jaycees in 1963 and was active in opening Jaycee chapters in the Ironbound section of Newark as well as South and North Newark and Irvington.
Bill was listed in the 1965 Outstanding Young Men of America publication.
While residing in Cedar Knolls, he was and Elder and choir member of the Hildale Park Presbyterian Church. He also served as Sunday School Superintendent, Church Dinner Coordinator and Cook and was a member of many committees at various times.
Bill was the life of the party wherever he was. He would light up the room with his jokes and shenanigans! He was an avid Yankee, Giant, Ranger and Knicks fan and all-around sports lover. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and loved to cook, sing and help others.
He was the beloved husband of the late Jean Drexler; loving father of Lynne Moore and her husband Kevin, the late William Drexler and the late Cathy Trapasso. Bill was the cherished grandfather of 9- Terence (Amanda), Britt, Erica (Drew), Michael (Val), Alyssa, Ashleigh (Anthony), Allana, Trae and Trevor and the devoted great-grandfather of 11-Henry, Bennett, Jack, Xiomara, Oscar, William, Audrey, Josie, Elliot, Benjamin and Skylar. He was also predeceased by his sister, Gloria Breunig.
