Father William C. Anderson, 83, of Holmdel passed away peacefully on October 2, 2010 following a long illness. Born and raised in New Brunswick, NJ he received his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from St. Frances College, Loretto, PA and prepared for the Priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary University, Baltimore, MD. Following his ordination on June 7, 1952 , at St. Mary of the Assumption, Trenton, he initially served as an associate pastor for 2 years at Sacred Heart, Trenton, and St. Mary of the Lake, Lakewood before serving 16 years at St. James Catholic Church, Red Bank. He was named pastor of St. Benedict Catholic Church and School in Holmdel in 1969, and over the course of 34 years helped nurture and develop a community of Christian service. In his retirement, Father Anderson continued to assist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Colts Neck. During his 58 years of service to the Diocese of Trenton his other diocesan responsibilities included serving as an assistant director of the Office of Propagation of the Faith from 1964 to 1965, then as director of the office from 1965 to 1972, and memberships on the diocesan Board of Arbitration and the diocesan Liturgical Committee. He was particularly proud of his service to the Ecumenical Commission from 1966 to 1971 having been raised the youngest of four children in an ecumenical home by a Catholic mother and a devout Presbyterian father who served as a Deacon and Elder. His role and participation in fostering Ecumenical and Interfaith relations among area churches and synagogues earned him the respect and admiration of people of other faiths. His religious faith and the desire to serve others were instilled in him by his parents, John Edward and Mary Barr. Father Anderson was a great admirer of Blessed Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council which had a profound effect on him and influenced his progressive views toward the roles and relationship of the clergy and the laity of the Church. He possessed a wry, good natured sense of humor and was an avid reader who enjoyed travel, art, and history. Too numerous and private to recount over his long ministry, are the many personal memories of those whose hearts and minds he touched and the part he played in their lives especially during times of great personal joy or sorrow. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother and sister in law Jack and Anne Anderson, and his brother in law Daniel Donohue. Surviving are his sister and brother in law Marie and James Borbely, new Brunswick, his sister Elizabeth Donohue, California, 14 nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by an extended family of parishioners, colleagues, friends, and neighbors. Visitation will be on Tuesday October 5th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a wake service at 8:00PM at St. Benedict Church 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11:00AM at Church with John M. Smith, Bishop of Trenton as principal celebrant. Interment will be in St. Peters Cemetery, New Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his memory to the St. Benedict – St. Vincent de Paul Society, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel, N.J. 07733, for the benefit of the Food Pantry. Waiting in joyful hope………….the best is yet to come.