Lt Col William J. Vankat, Ret. USMC

Lieutenant Colonel William J. Vankat, USMC (Retired), 82, of Montgomery, Texas, formerly of West Deptford, New Jersey passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

 Legacy

 Lieutenant Colonel William J. Vankat, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), passed away peacefully, having lived a life marked by service, dedication, and deep love for God, Country, Family, and community. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in East Paterson, New Jersey. Bill was a gifted athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball at East Paterson High School. His athletic achievements earned him an induction into the school’s Hall of Fame in 1999. He continued his education at the University of Dayton, where he played baseball and joined the Marine Corps Platoon Leader Class program. Upon graduation in 1964, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. His combat troop was the first to land in Vietnam on March 8, 1965. He served two distinguished combat tours—first with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion in 1965, and later with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines from 1968 to 1969. Over the course of his 26-year Marine Corps career, he served in numerous leadership roles, including Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, and Battalion Commander. His assignments took him to various duty stations, including serving as Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Assistant Chief of Staff at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, and Commanding Officer of Recruiting Stations in Baltimore, MD. He also served as a Platoon Tactics Instructor and Student Company Commander at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. As well as earning his MBA from Webster University. His last duty assignment was as Assistant Director of Personnel Procurement for the 4th Marine Corps District Recruiting Command in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lt Col Vankat’s military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, three Purple Hearts, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, along with numerous service and campaign medals. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, he worked as an aide at West Deptford High School and held various management roles in the private sector. He remained committed to service as a passionate advocate for veterans' rights and benefits. He was frequently invited to speak at schools, present medals, and participate in veteran-related ceremonies— always accepting with humility and pride. As a sports enthusiast, Bill officiated football, basketball, and softball at the high school and college levels for over 40 years. He was an avid golfer and a lifelong Yankees fan. Above all, he was a proud and loving “Pepa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His greatest joy was cheering them on in all their activities. A devout Catholic, Bill was married to the love of his life, Jane, for 54 wonderful years. He is now reunited with her in eternal rest.

 Family

 He is the beloved husband to the late Jane Vankat (nee Blatt). Devoted father of Jennifer (Bill) Murphy, Jessica (Gary) Dennis, Kathleen Stephan, and the late Sarah Jane (Jim) Luchansky. Treasured Pepa to Nora (Steve), Jimmy (Sarah), Allison, Abigail (Tom), Sammy (Morgan), Casey, Jacob (Riley), Josh, Jack, Kylee, Ian, Natalie, Connor, Nolan, Alex, Jordan, Griffin, Spencer, Reed, Luke, Maren, Lyla, Ava, and the late Ayden. Dear brother of George Vankat, Jr. (late Marjorie). Predeceased by his parents Kathryn and George Vankat. He will be greatly missed by nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

Farewell Tribute 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Wednesday, May 14th from 5:00 to 7:00PM and Thursday, May 15th from 9:00 to 10:00AM in the McGuinness Funeral Home - Woodbury, 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, New Jersey 08096. Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00AM at Church of the Incarnation 240 Main Street, Mantua NJ 08051. Internment- Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery Williamstown, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lt Col William J. Vankat may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

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