Obituary for William M "Bill" Howie III
William M. “Bill” Howie, III, beloved minister, educator, and waterman, passed away, with his wife Esther by his side, and surrounded by his loving family, Monday, March 28, 2022, at his home in Northfield, NJ. He was 78.
A lifelong sportsman with a love for the ocean, Bill was born in New York City in 1943 to William and Edna (Souter) Howie. He graduated from Atlantic City High School and served as a lifeguard on the AC Beach Patrol. Bill graduated from Glassboro State College with a Master’s Degree in education before beginning a career as an educator and minister.
Always a man of extraordinary faith, Bill was a church dedicated member at Lambs Road Assembly in Sewell, NJ, where he would go on to start a private Christian school and serve as principal and assistant pastor. He then went back to public education, retiring from Williamstown High School as guidance counselor.
In 2002 Bill married Esther (McLean) Portock, and together the two shared their love of the outdoors, including hiking, biking, paddle boarding, surfing, swimming, kayaking, and skiing their favorite mountains in Vermont. Together they grew a gospel ministry in Atlantic City (The People’s Church of AC) to serve those they called their friends, and came alongside Behold His Glory Ministry in Philadelphia doing the same. By the power of the Holy Spirit, many were brought to the Lord through those ministries.
Bill is survived by his wife Esther Howie from Northfield; four sons, Craig Howie and wife Kim of Center Valley, PA; Doug Howie and wife Jesi of Tarpon Springs, FL; Christopher Howie and wife Gupi of Washington, DC; Mark Howie and wife Jessica from Middletown, NJ. He is also survived by stepchildren Michael and Jacqueline Zarrillo of Northfield, NJ; James and Cathy Portock of Linwood, NJ; and Jason and Jennifer Portock of Chesapeake, VA. He is also mourned by his brothers Bob and wife Dale and Doug and wife Sue; 18 loving grandchildren, four great grandchildren, with 2 more on the way.
A lifelong sportsman with a love for the ocean, Bill was born in New York City in 1943 to William and Edna (Souter) Howie. He graduated from Atlantic City High School and served as a lifeguard on the AC Beach Patrol. Bill graduated from Glassboro State College with a Master’s Degree in education before beginning a career as an educator and minister.
Always a man of extraordinary faith, Bill was a church dedicated member at Lambs Road Assembly in Sewell, NJ, where he would go on to start a private Christian school and serve as principal and assistant pastor. He then went back to public education, retiring from Williamstown High School as guidance counselor.
In 2002 Bill married Esther (McLean) Portock, and together the two shared their love of the outdoors, including hiking, biking, paddle boarding, surfing, swimming, kayaking, and skiing their favorite mountains in Vermont. Together they grew a gospel ministry in Atlantic City (The People’s Church of AC) to serve those they called their friends, and came alongside Behold His Glory Ministry in Philadelphia doing the same. By the power of the Holy Spirit, many were brought to the Lord through those ministries.
Bill is survived by his wife Esther Howie from Northfield; four sons, Craig Howie and wife Kim of Center Valley, PA; Doug Howie and wife Jesi of Tarpon Springs, FL; Christopher Howie and wife Gupi of Washington, DC; Mark Howie and wife Jessica from Middletown, NJ. He is also survived by stepchildren Michael and Jacqueline Zarrillo of Northfield, NJ; James and Cathy Portock of Linwood, NJ; and Jason and Jennifer Portock of Chesapeake, VA. He is also mourned by his brothers Bob and wife Dale and Doug and wife Sue; 18 loving grandchildren, four great grandchildren, with 2 more on the way.