William A. Van Kluyve, age 73, of Wyckoff, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2017.

Born in Passaic Bill grew up in Clifton. He attended Eastern Christian High School and it was there that he met his love for all time. Her name was Linda Struck and Bill rode right into her life with his red and white 57 Chevy. Their love for each other was surely mutual and wedding bells rang on March 12, 1962. The newlyweds initially settled in Paterson, moved later to Prospect Park and had most recently lived in Wyckoff since 1990.

Soon after marriage Bill and Linda welcomed their firstborn, a baby girl which they named Sandra Lee. This was followed soon after by the arrival of their son Ronald. Blessed with endless energy and an iron will to do all he could to provide for his family, those early days saw Bill working literally day and night at three jobs at one time. He held a full-time job with Givaudan Fragrances with the added perk of regularly coming home with the latest perfumes for his bride. In between Bill loaded milk trucks in the middle of the night for Stokes Dairy in Franklin Lakes and drove a dump truck mainly for construction on the NJ Turnpike near the Meadowlands.

In search of a steadier career, Bill decided to take the test to become a police officer. He easily passed and, on August 1, 1969, he began a career in law enforcement with the City of Paterson. Just 25 years old when this new career started, Bill was wiry but strong and extremely fast, soon earning him the nickname “The Dart” because no suspect was a match for him in foot pursuits. Over the course of his career, he saw duty as a patrol officer, work in the detective bureau and he also accepted his share of plain-clothes assignments. Bill was always one of the first to accept extra night duty working security. This led to the inspiration for a side-business selling police equipment. He and a partner established the business on Union Ave. in Paterson and called it Silk City Shields. To make himself a better cop, he also attended classes at William Paterson College and, in 1977, received his B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. Attaining the title of Lieutenant, Bill served for numerous years on the executive board of the PBA where he proved to be quite effective in contract negotiations, and he also served as an active member of the police pistol team earning high scores for regularly shooting perfect bulls eyes.

With his career as a police officer well established Bill found himself at a good point in life. A motorcycle enthusiast since the late 1970’s he only owned Harley’s and he always had multiple bikes. The kids were becoming more independent so he and Linda started taking motorcycle trips with friends. They also like stealing away for trips alone. One of their favorite places to go was Aruba so they typically went two to three times a year. Then in the early 1990’s, with the advent of the internet, Bill started exploring his Dutch ancestry. This led to trips to Europe and connections with long lost relatives in Holland. Those relatives showed he and Linda all that was worth seeing in Europe and they reciprocated by hosting those same European relatives here in the United States. What a way to see the world!

Retirement from the police force took place in 1994 and Bill quickly realized that putzing around in his workshop every day was not going to sufficiently burn up his boundless get-up-and-go. He found himself wondering “what should I do now?” Interestingly enough, he started playing around with slot machines – not the sophisticated electronic machines of today. Instead, he found amusement with the pre-1940’s mechanical type. Bill would buy an old machine in a condition which he described as “a rat”, then pour endless hours into taking it apart, refurbing, cleaning, polishing, and painting it to its original authentic beauty and charm. Over a period of years, he had slot machines all over his house which he had restored, and when friends came over for weekly pool parties, they often exclaimed that his house was like a casino. Billy’s grandchildren, who were quite young at the time, would also play with “Opa’s” vintage slot machines, needing to stand on milk crates (which he probably “acquired” from Stokes Dairy) to reach the coin slot and the lever. Over the ensuing years, Bill attended many auctions and trade shows where he met other vintage slot machine enthusiasts. Consequently he earned quite a reputation as a respected authority and he regularly received inquiries from literally all over the world for advice. In the last ten years, Bill joined the Blue Knights and, together with his son Ron, enjoyed the adventure and camaraderie of riding motorcycles with his brother police officers.

Above all else, Bill loved and was deeply devoted to his family. From the time he was a very young man, he always demonstrated a consistent drive and determination to do whatever it would take to provide for them. He always remained deeply in love with Linda and together they made a great team. You could say that Bill made the bacon and Linda cooked it up. When Linda passed away, all too soon, in 2015, he missed her so much and never felt complete again without her. He displayed that same love and enthusiasm for his kids and grandkids, and was delighted with the arrival of his great-grandson Mason who squirmed for everyone but always sat contented on Opa’s lap.

Everyone will remember Bill in their own unique way, and he’ll always be admired by all (even his much loved cat Sonny) for his warm heart, engaging personality and highly commendable character.

In addition to his beloved wife of 53 years - Linda, Bill was predeceased by his dear daughter Sandra Lee Van Kluyve just six days before him, and his brother Robert. He is survived by his dear son Ronald of Wayne; four much-loved grandchildren: Matthew and wife Stephanie La Sala of Wayne, and Nicole, Danielle, and James Van Kluyve, all of Wayne; one cherished great-grandson: Mason; three dear siblings: John and wife Lori Van Kluyve of Woodland Park, Edward and wife Peggy Van Kluyve of Haverstraw, NY, and Marjorie Lucas of Atlanta, GA; and his sister-in-law Virginia Van Kluyve of Virginia.