William Joseph Kastner Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

CAPT, USN (Ret) William “Bill” Joseph Kastner, P.E., 91, of Dumfries, VA, passed away at home on Monday, March 30, 2020. Bill was a proud Navy veteran who served his country for 33 years, both active duty, and as the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer of several reserve units. Bill was born in Jersey City, NJ on May 27, 1928 and moved with his family to Roselle in 1932, becoming an Eagle Scout at age 15. Bill is an alumnus of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, and went on to graduate Cum Laude as a Mechanical Engineer from Catholic University in 1951, and later received a Master of Public Administration from USC in 1988. In 1952 Bill was commissioned into the Navy as an Engineering Duty Officer and spent his first tour in Panama City, FL where he met and married his beautiful bride, Nelda Idona Moore in 1955. Bill and Nelda ultimately moved to central New Jersey to start a large family and accomplish a successful civilian career in the machinery sales industry, in addition to his Navy Reserve Officer career. He was a born leader who was highly involved in community service. As a devoted Catholic, he managed large fundraising events, was President of his parish council, and taught CCD classes for over 15 years. Bill was proud of his service as a volunteer firefighter in Colts Neck, NJ where he became President of the Department. Upon moving to Northern Virginia in 1980, Bill began his second active duty assignment at The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington D.C., where he also served as the Director of the Naval Reserve Office. Bill received numerous awards to include the Legion of Merit, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, and 2 Navy Superior Civilian Service Awards. In addition to his two active duty service tours, Bill dedicated an extraordinary amount of time to the United States Navy League where he became President of the Jersey Shore Council, a National Director, and a National Vice President. Bill volunteered for multiple other community activities that are too numerous to list as well as being a lifetime member of several engineering and naval societies, including the Military Order of the Carabao who along with his sons enjoyed many of their functions. As you can see there were no down times for this overachiever. Bill Kastner was a proud and great American who loved his country and his community. CAPT Kastner was preceded in death by his parents, the late Herman Joseph and Julia Elizabeth Byrnes Kastner; and brother, Robert Kastner. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Nelda Moore Kastner; son, Joseph Byrnes Kastner (Patricia) of Cream Ridge, NJ; daughters, Margaret Ellen Walsh (Raymond) of Spring Lake Heights, NJ and Ann Marie Kastner-Clayton of Gainesville, VA; and sons, Timothy William Kastner (Tina) of Fairfax Station, VA, David Edward Kastner of Alexandria, VA, and John Robert Kastner (Ji-Eun) of Vienna, VA. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, who all knew him as the great and powerful Wizard. A memorial service and burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery will be announced at a later date.

Tributes

William Joseph Kastner

March 30, 2020