MANALAPAN — William E. “Bill” Quigley, loving husband, cherished brother, beloved uncle and loyal friend, passed away peacefully at his Manalapan home on April 7. He was surrounded by love, the beauty of the music he cherished throughout his life, a gentle nuzzle from his beloved pup, Mickey, and the radiance of a gorgeous April day in South Florida. He was 67.
Bill was welcomed into the world at Manhattan’s Woman’s Hospital on May 5, 1948, by his parents, Jean Eckler and John Harold Quigley (deceased), and later at the family home in New Rochelle by his five older siblings.
The Quigleys moved the following year to West Palm Beach, hometown of Bill’s pioneer, maternal grandparents, William Beecher and Harriet Fowler Eckler, and their five siblings.
Bill attended local schools, and in his junior year at Forest Hill High was recognized as the No. 1 percussionist in the state of Florida. He graduated with a B.A. from Florida Atlantic University and taught school for three years before moving to successful careers in sales with Reader’s Digest and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals.
Eventually, Bill began doing stand-in jobs as a percussionist with the Cliff Hall Orchestra, and upon Mr. Hall’s demise, Bill became the permanent percussionist for 25-plus years with the Neil Smith Orchestra, based in Palm Beach and Newport, for the many seasonal parties and society balls each year. It was also the “go-to” orchestra for functions held all over the world, including a British ball in honor of Princess Diana Spencer’s marriage to Prince Charles.
Bill began a different second career when he became a real estate broker, and specialized in the buying and selling of homes for his dedicated clients in and around his home turf of Point Manalapan. He ended his career with Fite Shavell Realty in Palm Beach as one of its top producers from Palm Beach to Gulf Stream.
Bill served many years on the Manalapan Town Commission and on the board of directors for the La Coquille Club.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of more than 47 years, Karen (Scott) Quigley, his five older siblings, Pat Ritchie, Karen Steele, John Quigley (Donnie), Cynthia Stowe, and Jim Quigley; his two sisters-in law, Sherry (Scott) Linder and Angela Scott, an abundance of adoring nieces and nephews, and his beloved chocolate Lab, Mickey.
Bill never met a stranger and was loved by all. We will all miss him terribly.
Donations may be made to Bill and Karen’s favorite charities: Hospice of Palm Beach County Trust Bridge, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407, and the Tri-County Humane Society, 21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433, so that “all creatures great and small” will enjoy a semblance of happiness in this beautiful world.
A celebration of Bill’s life was held on April 12 at Eau Palm Beach in Manalapan.
Obituary submitted by the family
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