William Thomas Ernst

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of William (Bill) Ernst  to be with his Lord and Savior on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Bill was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Margret and Fred Ernst on December 8, 1946. He attended the Jersey City public school system until the age of 16 when he moved with his family to Dover, Delaware. His father moved with a   job transfer in 1964 with the General Foods Corporation.   Bill eventually worked at the Dover Air Force base at the inflight kitchen, the commissary warehouse and the main commissary.

Bill was an avid fisherman going on deep sea fishing adventures with his cousin Stubby Fontana.  He would often fish with his friends Fred Gunner and Fred Neal off the head boats out of Bowers Beach, and Indian River Marinas in Delaware.  He also fished into the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.  A favorite fishing outing was driving to Crisfield, Maryland and taking the headboat into the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.  He could also be seen fishing at Silver Lake in Dover.

Bill enjoyed participating In the Delaware Senior Games horse shoe competition.  Going to Pot Nets, Delaware for long weekends with his brother Tom, cruising the Indian River Inlet on their Pontoon boat.  He enjoyed his daily visits with his neighbor Dawn Thorne.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Slaughtr Ernst of 22 years.

He will be greatly missed by his brothers Fred and (Veronica) Ernst, Tom and (Jean) Ernst, his cousins Carol Ann Fontana, Jason and Lisa Diaz, Al Crescenzo , Chris Crescenzo , Bobby Crescenzo , Phil and Gina De Falco, John and Kim Casey and his neighbors Dawn Thorne, Phil and Christine Liffridge.

Viewing will be 6-8 pm Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 West Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 noon Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 South State Street, Dover, Delaware.  Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com

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