Obituaries

In Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite, William V. Weithas Jr.

Former longtime Rumsonite William V. Weithas Jr. (Bill), more recently of Little Silver and Jupiter, FL, passed away peacefully on Sept. 23 surrounded by his family.

“Bill and (his wife) Mary raised their family in Rumson, NJ. He was a member of Navesink Country Club and Jupiter Hills Country Club in Jupiter, FL, where he served as club president. Bill and Mary spent many wonderful summers in Avalon, NJ watching their grandchildren grow up together. 

“He leaves behind many friends from all walks of life.  Bill will be fondly remembered for his motto “couldn’t be better.” His children feel incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such a wonderful father and will honor him every day of their lives.” 

Loved ones of Bill Weithas in his obituary

Born in Queens, NY to William and Margaret Beese Weithas, Bill was a 1947 graduate of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School where he played basketball, baseball and ran track. He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1951. He later served on the Board of Regents at Seton Hall.

Bill started his career at the Nabisco Company as a ‘cookie salesman’ and quickly moved onto the advertising world, working in the mailroom at BBD&O. 

He later worked at P. Ballantine & Sons and at SSC&B NY where he climbed the ranks to become Chairman and CEO. There, he led the successful introduction of Diet Coke among many other brands.

He later became chairman and CEO of Lintas Worldwide: NYC and London. Bill finished his career as vice chairman and director of Interpublic Group of Companies. He was a member of the NY State Governor’s Business Advisory and chairman of the 4 A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies).

Bill was predeceased by: his sister, Audrey; and his son, William V. Weithas III. 

He is survived by: his wife of 64 years, Mary; his children, Suzann Cahill (John), John Weithas (Lisa), Jeremy Minnetian (Matthew) and Claudia Mullett (Conor); his 10 grandchildren, John (Lauren), William, and James Cahill, Emma and Lila Weithas, Julia and Charles Minnetian, Liam, Griffin and Mary Elizabeth Mullett; and his siblings, Marilyn Halverson, Adrienne dePaolo and Richard Weithas and their families.

The Weithas family would like to sincerely thank Bill’s aide and friend, Stella as well as the staff at Brandywine at the Sycamore who lovingly cared for our father.

A mass of christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. Burial will follow mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery of Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly appreciate donations to Loughlin Connects, a fund providing iPads for students to support remote learning at Bill’s alma mater, Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, NY.

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