William P. Nelligan

William Patrick Nelligan October 20, 1939 - May 12, 2026 Bill was born in Teaneck NJ, to Kathleen and William Nelligan on 10/20/1939. He spent his formative years in Red Bank, NJ where he attended St. James Grammar School and Red Bank Catholic High School where he played basketball and baseball, graduating in 1958. He was married to Elizabeth Acerra from August 26, 1961 until her death on August 5, 2019. He served in the United States Army from 1962-1968 with the 25th Infantry Division stationed at Scholfield Barracks Hawaii. While stationed in Hawaii, his son William was born on October 25, 1963. After being discharged from the Army he lived in Long Branch. He attended Monmouth College on the GI Bill graduating in 1971 with a BS in Business. He worked in NYC for many years. Finishing up his work career with the United States Post Office working at the Sectional Center on Industrial Way in Eatontown. After retiring from the USPS he worked as a security guard at Monmouth Park Racetrack. Despite living the last his last 7 years in Dolores, Colorado with his son William and daughter-in-law Terri, he was a Jersey guy at heart. He loved taking rides along Ocean Avenue with his wife and family and visiting Sandy Hook. He was a lifelong Dodgers fan, both Brooklyn and LA. Before her death, he and Betty enjoyed traveling to Hawaii where they spent their early married years. He was a parishioner of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Cortez Colorado. He is predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Nelligan, parents William and Kathleen Nelligan, sister Anne Wahl and her husband Phil, sister Barbara Torchia and her husband Anthony, brother-in-law Robert Patterson, sister Mary Gonzalez and her husband Ramon and brothers-in-law Peter Dellera and Anthony Acerra. He is survived by his son William and wife Terri of Dolores, Colorado. Grandchildren Rachel Nelligan of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mary Hamilton and her husband Stetson of Mancos, Colorado and Thomas Nelligan of Cambridge, Massachusetts, sister Kathleen Patterson of Oceanport and sister-in-law Joanne Dellera of Naples, Florida. Along with numerous nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Jerome Catholic Church in West Long Branch, NJ on Friday May 22, 2026 at 10:30 am. The same church where he and Betty were married in 1961. Internment will follow at Mount Carmel cemetery in WLB. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.