William Joseph Rittweger, 59, of Howell Township passed away unexpectedly while away on business on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at Florida Hospital Celebration Health. Bill was born in Plainfield, raised in Edison and had lived in Kenilworth before moving to Howell in 1999. He was a graduate of Seton Hall University, class of 1979. Bill played baseball all four years at Seton Hall, was Captain his Junior and Senior years, and was also a graduate assistant coach. He then was drafted by the NY Mets as a second baseman and played minor league baseball in Little Falls, Lynchburg and Jackson for four years retiring in 1983. Working for Teva Pharmaceuticals in North Wales, PA (formerly Cephalon) for the past fourteen years, Bill served as a Regional Sales Manager. Prior to that, he worked for GlaxoSmithKline. A devout Catholic, he was a parishioner of the Church of St. Veronica and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6201. Bill was a coach. If not at work coaching his team, he could be found on the fields at Howell Central Little League or on the courts for Howell Recreational Basketball. Most recently, Bill was on the board of the Landsharks Baseball Club and also the Pinelanders Youth Soccer Club, where he coached for many years. He enjoyed bowling at the Howell Lanes and at the German American Club. Bill was an avid golfer and was a die-hard NY Sport Teams fan (never choosing a favorite). With a passion for music, he was always listening to Springsteen or Buffett and was a loyal parrothead. Bill was a movie buff, quoting lines from many movies. He treasured his time vacationing with family and friends. Bill was a loving husband, adoring father, doting grandfather, caring brother and uncle and faithful friend.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Edward S. Rittweger, Sr. and Annabelle Rittweger (nee Miller); and a brother-in-law, Ralph Battaglia. He is survived by his wife of twenty-one years, Lisa Rittweger (nee Wolfenden); three children, Janine Lynch and her husband, Corey of Bayville, Sabrina Rittweger of Howell and William J. Rittweger, Jr. of Howell; a grandson, Dylan; five siblings, Dr. Edward Rittweger, Jr. and his wife, Patricia of Boca Raton, FL and Long Branch, Richard Rittweger of Spring Hill, FL, Janet Battaglia of Spring Hill FL, Peter Rittweger and his wife, Jerri of Brick, and Thomas Rittweger of Toms River; his in-laws, Robert and Marilyn Wolfenden of Matawan; a brother-in-law, Robert Wolfenden, Jr. and his wife, Diane of Keyport; a sister-in-law, Janine Wolfenden of Matawan; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, February 19, 2017 and Monday, February 20, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends may gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 9:45 AM for the procession to his 10:45 AM Funeral Mass at the Church of St. Veronica, 4215 Route 9 North, Howell. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill’s name may be made to the Bill Rittweger Memorial College Fund c/o www.youcaring.com/lisarittweger-758843. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.