A funeral liturgy was celebrated Jan. 18 at St. Thomas More Church, Manalapan, for William F. Riepe Jr., 89, of Manalapan. He passed away Jan. 15 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold. Born and raised in Jersey City, he lived in Matawan before moving to Manalapan 12 years ago. He was a communicant of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Manalapan. Bill was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during both World War II and the Korean War and a recipient of the bronze star. He was Deputy Chief of the Jersey City Fire Department for 32 years before retiring in 1982. He was an avid writer and author and regular contributor to The Guardian, a Covered Bridge monthly publication. He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria, in 2003. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Paul and Joanne Riepe, Veronica and Ted Daniels and Suzanne and Richard Weisman; and six grandchildren, Geoff, Heather, Katie, Shannon, William and Ethan. Services arranged by the Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, Manalapan.