A  Mass of Christian Burial was held March 28 in Epiphany Church, Brick, for Deacon William R. Heard who died March 25 at age 75.

Principal concelebrants of the Mass were Father Bernardino C. Esguerra, pastor, and Father Jay Bowden, who served as pastor of Epiphany for many years.

Born in San Diego, Calif., Aug. 19, 1935, he moved to Highlands, N.J., where he spent his childhood and teen years. He attended St. Agnes School, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands High School. He joined the Navy in 1954 and in the same year married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Mangold.

After serving for years in the Navy, he joined the Operating Engineers and settled in Atlantic Highlands where he and Charlotte raised their three children. During these years, he served his parish as an usher, CYO youth ministries and as assistant basketball coach for the grade school. Following his retirement, Deacon Heard moved to Brick and joined Epiphany Parish. He was ordained a deacon May 9, 1998, by Bishop John M. Smith in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus.

Deacon Heard is predeceased by his parents, William and Sarah Heard and his granddaughter, Sarah Marie.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; three children, William (Lynn); Theresa (Glenn) Principe, and Michael (Debra); 10 grandchildren; one great granddaughter and a sister-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Epiphany Parish’s Helping Hands Food Pantry, 615 Thiele Rd., Brick, N.J. 08724.