1952 – 2025
William James Castner Sr. passed away at his longtime home in Toms River, New Jersey, on December 19, 2025. An incredible role model to his family, friends and the community, Bill was 73. The following reflection is excerpted from the Celebration of Life memorial service presentation honoring Bill’s lifetime of service and caring.
“My passion is my family and my extended family… amateur student athletes. The Play for James Foundation embodies that same passion just as its mission and goals mirror mine.”
Bill was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey by a single mom with six kids. Yet from his modest beginnings he went on to achieve both a wonderful family life and highly successful business career, serving for more than four decades as an executive for a global manufacturing and distribution leader in the aluminum industry.
Shortly after graduating from Watchung Hills High School, and while attending community college, he met Diane Armstrong while Diane was a cashier and Bill was a unionized worker at the A&P grocery store in Berkley Heights. The couple married in 1972, lived in Plainfield, and bought their first home in Dunellen. Bill and Diane moved their growing family to Toms River in 1981, where Bill coached baseball for over 40 years.
Bill’s volunteerism and contributions to youth baseball in Toms River and student-athletes in general were extraordinary. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the international champion Toms River East Little League and founder of its Fall Baseball and Challenger baseball programs. He also launched the nationally recognized Black Sox Baseball Club; was a member of the Governing Board of the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League and Youth Sports Safety Advisory Board; and a Director of the Play for James Foundation, the non-profit organization dedicated to providing increased athletic, educational and healthy living opportunities to youngsters and families in need.
Along the way Bill gathered many individual honors, the naming of the Senior League field at the Toms River East Little League Complex Castner Field being just one. As Bill described it, the surprise dedication ceremony in 2009 was one of the happiest days of his life. Ten future Major Leaguers played on Castner Field including Mike Trout, Cole Kimball, and local heroes Jeff and Todd Frazier. Beyond the baseball diamond his service to the entire New Jersey community was also recognized with the state’s Hurricane Sandy Hero Award.
Bill is survived by his wife Diane; children Billy, Shannon and Brendan; grandchildren Billy, Braden, Kennedy, Liam, Matt, Nate, Josh and Caspian; sister Diane and brother Thomas.
His guidance, integrity, sense of humor, dedication and caring spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him.