William J. Hancock

William J Hancock, age 87, of Wyckoff, passed Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at home with the comfort of his family by his side. 

Bill was born to Marie and Everett Hancock in the Bronx, New York, and graduated from high school having played basketball.  After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy where he served on the USS Roosevelt in the 6th Fleet (aircraft carrier).  After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Bill entered the Bergen County Police Academy and was hired by the Bogota Police Department.  He rose through the ranks and retired after 32 years as Chief of Police. After a successful career in law enforcement, William continued to dedicate himself to public safety and security. He became the head of security at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, serving with distinction for 6 years. William brought his expertise to Merck Medco, where he led the security team ,culminating his illustrious career with professionalism and integrity. In the interim, he graduated from William Paterson University with his bachelors degree in Criminal Justice.  

Bill met the love of his life, Claire Scarbeck, while serving in the Navy. They wrote many love letters throughout his deployment.  They married on January 23, 1960 and had their first child that December.  Their marriage was blessed with five children: Ellen, Joanne, Karen, Bill ( Tracey), and Michael and ten grandchildren: Sarah, Eddie, Brittany (Joaquin), Steven, Will, Kyle, Zane, Hana, Ava, and Colin. 

Bill was a loving, caring husband, father and grandfather who was devoted to his family, always willing to speak his mind.  He was a great cook and master of the BBQ on his deck.  His crazy sense of humor, especially his teasing nature, was the source of laughter at every family gathering. Bill enjoyed traveling, especially to the Jersey Shore and Nantucket, reading history books, and routing for the Giants and Mets. He loved his summers with Claire and friends at Brookside Lake. And he loved his date nights with Claire.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday February 7,2026 at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 from 1PM - 5PM with a 3PM service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of William can be made to Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge Inc rbari.org or John Theurer Cancer Center 

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