William John Rutar, Jr.

August 22, 1938 – March 21, 2026

William John Rutar, Jr., 87, of Katy, TX, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, on August 22, 1938, Bill spent his childhood in Boydsville, Ohio before returning to New Jersey as a teenager.

He served his country in the U.S. Army from September 1958 – October 1960, most of that time stationed in Germany. His official honorable discharge date was September 30, 1964.

Bill worked as an Information Systems Manager at Schering Plough Pharmaceuticals, retiring in 1995 with 23 years of service.

Without question, Bill's happiest moments were those spent with his family.

An avid golfer, he also loved carpentry and the outdoors. He enjoyed doing yardwork and his bird feeders. In his younger days, he took several backpacking tips on the Appalachian Trail. He and his wife Kathleen spent many happy days walking the beach of Siesta Key, Florida. He will be forever missed, forever loved.

He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Teresa C. Rutar nee Blaskovic and William John Rutar, his loving wife of 37 years, Kathleen Marie Rutar, nee McCormick (May 2024), his siblings, Teresa Ann Meyers, Elizabeth Jane Gould, Patricia Lawrence, Caroline J. Rutar, Robert Lee Rutar, Sr., Barbara Rutar.

Surviving are his dear son, William J. Rutar III and his wife Carol Rutar, his loving daughter, Michele Stanley and husband Jeff Stanley, two sisters, Debra Guravage and Judith Regenthal, his brother, James Rutar and wife Paula Rutar, and two cherished grandchildren, Colin and Kyle.

He was beloved as Uncle Bill to many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026 from 4pm-8pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876.

A prayer service will begin at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 10:15am. Funeral Mass to follow at 11am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ 08853.

Committal is private.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider charitable donations to Cure PSP Foundation or Friends of Hearts for Honduras. https://www.psp.org Or https://www.heartsforhonduras.com.