William Norman Bourne, 79, passed away on September 27, 2016.
He was born on July 07, 1937, in Philadelphia, PA to Westcar Bourne and Isaline Bourne, immigrants from the island of Barbados. He graduated from Germantown High School in Philadelphia, PA. He was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1956. William spent some years serving congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Dillon, South Carolina and eventually, Cape May, NJ. William married Provita Bourne in 1972 and they shared 42 years of marriage together. William, known by family as Norman and friends as Bill, was a kind and gentle man. Many times you would find him with a smile on his face. He was a talented musician who played the flute and saxophone. Bill enjoyed playing the flute in the orchestra for conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses before recorded music was the standard. Bill also worked for many years in the printing business, having worked alongside his father as a young boy. He eventually became the manager of a local newspaper. He was a loving father who very much enjoyed teaching his children about Jehovah, as a person. He would take them on walks to pick Cape May Diamonds or sweet peas for their mom. He often took the family to the Franklin Institute to learn about science and observe the stars. Bill would take the time to lie in their front yard in West Cape May and show his children the constellations and planets. But, what Bill loved the most was his God, Jehovah, and helping others to come to be worshippers of Jehovah. He kept his zeal in the ministry, even when his health was failing. Bill remained enthusiastic about his love of Jehovah and hope of a paradise earth under his son, Jesus, until the day he passed away.
Bill was preceded in death by the death of his father, Wescar Bourne, and mother, Isaline Bourne, and siblings: Rosalie Bourne, Robert Bourne, Antoinette Lockett (nee Bourne), Coraline Rines (nee Bourne), Grant Bourne and his son, Andre Bourne. Bill is survived by his children: Sheree Hill (nee Bourne Payne), Joy Payne (Bourne), Rachel Craver (nee Bourne) (Ian), Titus Bourne, Mark Bourne (Jessica); his siblings, Patricia McGowan (nee Bourne), Lionel Bourne, and Sheila Ann Bourne. He was a very affectionate Pop-Pop to: Nicole, Natalie, Madeline, Ethan, Andrew, Isalina, Elizabeth and Mark. He was also loved by his many nieces and nephews.
