Obituary of William P. Henry

William Patrick Henry of Madison, NJ passed away at home on May 31, 2026 at the age of 87, surrounded by family who cared for him day and night as his health declined. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on December 24, 1938 to William C.A. Henry and Margaret Mary (Chapman) Henry, to whom he was fondly known as “Billie Pat.”

Bill grew up in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, attended Holy Cross grammar school, and graduated from La Salle College High School in 1956, where he played football and rowed on a crew in the summers. Upon graduating from Villanova University with an Engineering degree in 1960, Bill was invited to join Bethlehem Steel’s management training program, commonly referred to as the “Loop Course.” He simultaneously served his country in the US Coast Guard Reserve and retired as Lieutenant Commander. He spent over 40 years at Bethlehem Steel, serving in sales leadership roles in rod & wire and sheet steel. In the later years of his corporate career, he oversaw the US Eastern Region. Bill’s expertise and deep professional relationships became the launch pad for a decade of consulting, during which he advised Rheem, MacSteel, and Kloechner Metals.

Bill married Joyce Collins in 1962, several years after they met on the Ocean City, NJ  boardwalk at 14th Street during summer vacation. Joyce was a pioneer student in Villanova’s Nursing program and they raised four sons together during 63 years of marriage. Bill was most proud of his boys and the education he and Joyce provided for them. Among his most treasured moments were his sons’ graduation ceremonies at Delbarton, Princeton, Harvard, Duke, Kellogg, Colgate, Dartmouth, and Stanford.

Bill was a member of Saucon Valley CC, Bethlehem, PA and later Morris County Golf Club, Convent, NJ, where he served on the Board of Governors. Bill was also a member of The University Club of New York, where he served on the Board and as Chairman of the Squash Committee. He was an avid squash and golf competitor and enthusiastically pursued his goal of playing as many of the Top 100 golf courses as he could. Bill enjoyed many group golf trips to Ireland, Scotland and Bermuda and particularly relished his visits to the Emerald Isle, where he connected with his many Irish relatives.

Bill is survived by his wife Joyce; sons Bill, Jr. (Monika) of Morristown, NJ, Dave (Meagen) of Pasadena, CA, Steve (John) of Brooklyn, NY, Mike (Tyler) of Mill Valley, CA; grandchildren, Joyce, Tobin, and Gannon; step grandchildren Nicole and Roni, and his sister Marybeth Henry of Narberth, PA. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Thomas J.A. Henry of Orinda, CA.

Visitation Hours

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during a visitation on Wed., June 3 from 5:00-8:00 PM ET at the Burroughs Kohr Dangler Funeral Home, located at 106 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940.

Funeral Services

Bill’s life and legacy will be celebrated at 12:00 PM ET on Thurs., June 4 at St. Vincent Martyr, 26 Green Village Rd, Madison, NJ 07940 for anyone who would like to attend. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://svmnj.org/. Following Mass, there will be a brief private interment for the family.