William "Bill" Robert Descoteaux

William Robert "Bill" Descoteaux July 3, 1950 – July 22, 2026

William Robert "Bill" Descoteaux, 76, of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, went home to be with the Lord on July 22, 2026. Born July 3, 1950, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Leo and Arlene Descoteaux, Bill lived a life devoted to teaching, faith, and family.

Dr. Bill built a career as a professor across several institutions throughout his life, with Asbury College as his final stop before retirement. He was also an ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church, and his two callings were deeply intertwined: Bill wove his lifelong commitment to the Salvation Army into his teaching, preparing generations of social work students to carry that mission forward into their own careers. He served on numerous boards over the years, including the United Way in Rochester, New York, and the Salvation Army training school in Suffern, New York. In one of the clearest examples of his impact was in the days following September 11th he took his students to Manhattan where they supported the Salvation Army’s mission as they worked directly alongside relief efforts supporting victims of the attack. He also served as an associate trustee of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA), continuing his lifelong pattern of investing in the communities and institutions he loved.

Beyond his professional life, Bill was an animal lover, a devoted beach-goer, and an avid baker who found joy filling his kitchen, and the people around him, with good food. A proud son of New England, he never met a lobster roll he didn't love, and he had an equally soft spot for chocolate.

Bill Descoteaux was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bonita "Bonnie" Descoteaux, and his daughter, Jennifer. He is survived by his sons, Josh and Ben Descoteaux; his grandchildren, Haley Montgomery, Kyler Montgomery, Everett Descoteaux, and Harrison Descoteaux; and his siblings, Carol Schmid and Tom Descoteaux.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Wilmore Free Methodist Church, 1200 Lexington Rd, Wilmore, KY 40390.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to the Dr. Bonnie Descoteaux Social Work Student Achievement Fund at Asbury University, established in memory of Bill's wife, Bonnie, to support sponsorships for the social work honor society and student achievement. Donations may be made by check payable to Asbury University (noting "Dr. Bonnie Descoteaux Student Fund" in the memo line) or online at asbury.edu/give/give-online, also noting the fund.

Betts & West Funeral Home is honored to serve Bill and his family at this difficult time.  Online guestbook at BettsandWestfuneralhome.com.