William B. "Dancin' Bill" Brislin
William B. "Dancin' Bill" Brislin Obituary
“DANCIN‘ BILL“ BRISLIN
William B. “Dancin’ Bill” Brislin, born May 5, 1931, passed away in his sleep on October 4, 2023,
aged 92. He is predeceased by his parents, John and Jane Brislin, his sister Jane Leonard, and
his daughter Anne Marie Savoy. A Dunellen resident of almost 60 years, Bill grew up in
Elizabeth attending St. Mary’s High School, later joining their Hilltoppers Club. He proudly
served his country in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict and graduated from Seton
Hall University with a degree in Communications. He started his career as an on-air radio
newsman at WCRV Washington, NJ, and WDLC Port Jervis, NY. After several years in radio,
he worked for 17 years at Business Furniture in Elizabeth, and later,11 years in security with
Pinkerton.
Bill was a lifelong lover of dancing and music. He expressed it over the years by singing in stage
bands for the troops while serving in the Philippines, going to Broadway musicals, enjoying
Atlantic City dance halls, and attending numerous jazz, marching band, and rock concerts. He
was a member of the New Jersey Jazz Society and longtime supporter of live music all over the
state.
As a boy Bill was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and later a loyal Mets fan. Combining his love of
baseball with dancing, he found himself as a regular attendee at the Somerset Patriots games,
dancing in the stands to the delight of fans, especially during the 7th inning stretch. He became
a beloved fixture and was dubbed “Dancin’ Bill”, a role he thoroughly enjoyed.
Bill is survived by his wife Jennie (nee Paradiso) of 67 years, his son William Brislin and his wife
Sue, his daughter Karen Brenner and her husband Alan, his daughter Jennie Metenosky and
her husband John, his son Tom Brislin, and his late daughter’s husband Ken Savoy. He also
has two grandchildren, Amanda and John Metenosky, and several loving nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held at Sheenan’s Funeral Home in Dunellen on Tuesday, October 10, from 9-
11 a.m. with a Catholic prayer service at 11:00, followed by burial at Resurrection Cemetery in
Piscataway. In lieu of flowers please donate in his name to a charity of your choice.
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