William Joseph Daniels, affectionately known as Bill, Billy, and Kelly, passed away at the age of 72 on July 15, 2024.

He was born and raised in New York, served in the United States Army, studied philosophy, added some limbs to the family tree, started businesses, built and rebuilt life on both coasts, sang songs with soul, and enjoyed a little scotch in between it all. He was good at finding joy in the simplest of things, and great at playing the horses.

Billy was one of a kind - generous in love, prayer, laughter, and storytelling.

He somehow always had a little gift to give on hand, alongside a new joke to share. He embodied gratitude and embraced all of the peaks and valleys along his journey.

Nothing could stop Billy from finding a way to be there when someone he loved needed him, and nobody in his presence went without. If he had “it”, half was yours.

He wrote that he “lived 7 or 8 lives in one. Enough for anybody.”

And just “enough” is all he ever desired, and somehow, what he always had- By the grace of God and a little luck.

He made sure those around him had their share of “enough” - “enough” food to eat, “enough” encouragement to overcome the tough times, and now, just “enough” memories to keep the beloved family and friends he leaves behind, laughing through the tears from losing someone irreplaceable.

Billy would say he had “that Irish Luck” but those who had the pleasure of knowing him, know that they were the lucky ones.

To know him was to love him and to spend time with him on earth was a gift.

“Keep your sense of humor about this life” he would try to tell anyone who might listen.

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Oradell, NJ, will be mentioning Billy’s name in prayer, during all regularly scheduled Mass services on July 27th and 28th.

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to St Jude’s Children’s hospital, a cause close to his heart. 

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