Obituary of William D. Guillou

William Duquella Guillou, 94, passed away on Tuesday morning, September 15, 2015 in Freehold, New Jersey. A man of honor, integrity and deep love of family, he was born to Clarise and Duquella Guillou in Cayes, Haiti, where he rose to become an attorney, and even more importantly, a man deeply admired by all who knew him for his generosity and keen intellect. It was also in Haiti that William met and married his beloved Elsie, the love of his life throughout 66 years of marriage, with whom he had five children. Always seeking to provide the very best for his children and to inspire them to reach for their highest goals, he immigrated to the United States in 1962, making a home for his family in New York. He labored in a factory, sometimes working three jobs, studying English as well as microbiology at night, ultimately becoming supervisor of the laboratory at Caledonian Hospital, from which he retired after 25 exemplary years of service. Multifaceted and intellectually curious, William was very much a contemporary renaissance man. His eclectic musical interests, encompassing Haitian, French and American genres, often enticed him to sing along and to take to the floor with his wife in dance. That natural exuberance was matched by his joy in serving as president of the Cercle Excelsior, his much loved Haitian social club; his avid following of politics and the news of the day, quizzing his children to ensure their knowledge of global affairs; and, always, his complete devotion and attention to his family. William is survived by his wife, Elsie, their five children: Mario (Peggy) Guillou, Michaelle (Ronald) Pebbles, Ralph (Cheryl) Guillou, Kharine (Sterling) Reese and Tamara Guillou (Clarence) as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren along with extended family and friends. Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 2PM to 6PM at Freeman Funeral Home in Manalapan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning, September 21, 2015 at 10AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Manalapan