Weatherhead Young Funeral Home - 885 Mantoloking Rd. Brick, NJ 08723
WILLIAM "BILLY" AUSTIN
July 28, 1953--June 23, 2023
AKA: Billy Boy; Brother Bill; Joe Bag O'Donuts
July 28, 1953 10:21pm, Margaret Hague hospital, Jersey City, NJ the world was graced with the kind soul of William Austin...firstborn son of William Henry and Lois Beverly Austin. Weighing in at over 9 pounds Billy was welcomed by his parents, 2 sisters Diane and Nancy, and a dog whose name escapes me. Billy's given nickname does not escape me...chunky little guy that he was, "Humpty Dumpty" seemed fitting. FYI, check the photo board--he may be sitting on wall in one of them.
He was born into an extended family of 18 Aunts and Uncles between our parents (spouses and cousins by the dozens) and maternal grandparents Richard (Mush-Pop) and Florence (Nanny) Behnke. Paternal grands William H. and Mary E. Austin (deceased). Thirteen months later his Irish twin sister joined the family and for 9 years Billy was outnumbered by the ladies in his life.
Don't feel too bad for him, though--our brother was never too far away to interrupt our Barbie playtime with the military style raid of GI Joe locked and loaded in his Jeep. Pre-GI Joe he had his collection of green plastic Army men and cowboys and indians (who can forget those). Those characters were often found strategically placed throughout our dollhouses and baby doll carriages...Billy's attempt at protecting the homefront. LOL. He went through a brief Man From U.N.C.L.E stage. Complete with attache case and ID badge, he was Napolean Solo. Diane and Nancy wanted no part of it, so I was recruited for Illya Kuryakin.
I think he may have been the original photo-bomber...our family home videos show us girls prancing around calm and ladylike or playing nicely with our toys, then brother leaps in front of the camera or shows up in the background with a plastic rifle, hand grenades or trusty holster and six shooters blasting away. And, yes, there were sound effects.
Early memories: He collected comic books. I remember listening to him and his friends reading and re-enacting Spider-Man tales, more sound effects included. I thought they were such goofballs! However, his favorite reading material was Mad Magazine. Alfred E. Newman--What, me worry? At some point we decided that Billy actually resembled Alfred, so that was his new nickname for a while.
Billy had a love of Lionel trains at a very young age and it continued his whole life. Full size, HO, any gauge. Although he never got around to displaying all of his collections, he did manage to cleverly install a track in his living area...suspended from the ceiling...and it actually runs.
Adult life: The boy loved to wander...fishing, camping with his best buddies and fellow Joe Bag O'Donuts, Brandon, John, Drew. He was pretty good with a camera and for a while enjoyed processing/developing his film at home. He loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time with his hands in the dirt.
Billy's Tin-knocker career started around age 17. Sheet metal tech and installer working for others. He then advanced to Heating/AC install/repair. Eventually, family owned AustinAire Heating/AC was opened for business with brother Mark. Billy continued to do installation and repairs as an independent contractor. Music lover...the circa 1990 portable radio ran 24/7/365. Silenced only for transport from the house to the yard and back. 90.5 The Night, Brookdale Public Radio.
Skip ahead...as a grown-up Billy never lost his young at heart, free-spirited mindset. He was born with a Hippie soul before it was a thing. Like a rolling stone, the beat of his own drum, yeah, that was the heart and soul of who he was. Reminds me of another early memory--bongo drums--he drove us crazy with his bongo drums. Those long gone, he did leave behind a Conga drum...Babba-loo!! Billy was a good son. Caring brother. Funny Uncle (George Carlin look-a-like). Good friend. Junk collector. Occasional pain in the butt. We miss you, Brother Bill. Peace be with you, my Irish twin, my friend, keeper of shared memories.
Billy is survived by 4 sisters- Diane Austin, Nancy Fischkelta, Lorraine Brown and Kimberly Austin all of Brick. Nephews/niece Thomas Brown (Cris), Brick, Matthew Brown (Kim) NC, David Brown, CA. Mark Austin, Brick, Frank Fischkelta JR., Dawn Ortiz (Jason), Richard Fischkelta, all Fl.. Great-nephews/nieces Megan Brown, MollyMae Brown, Brayden Austin all Brick. Emilee Brown, NC, Joshua Ortiz and Laila Fischkelta, Fl. Brother-in law Cliff Brown and sister-in-law Barbara Austin. Also, several beloved aunts, uncles and cousins and lifelong friends. And the cats...Ryman, Spatz, White Mark and Graycee. Predeceased by parents William and Lois, brother Mark R. Austin, nephews Ryan Cranga-Brown and Jason Austin.
Closing thought: Billy's most often spoken words--"Ya' know I was just was thinking about doing..." (and here is where we fill in the blank. Choose from a multitude of chores, tasks, projects)... "well, not now. Maybe later. First I'm gonna take a nap." Happy napping. Love you, Bro. Signing off with 2 thumbs up and double okey dokey signs.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.at Weatherhead Young Funeral Home - 885 Mantoloking Rd. Brick, NJ 08723. To send condolences to his family please visit: www.weatherheadyoung.com
