William Howard Heritage Jr, age 72, of Richwood, New Jersey passed away peacefully Sunday May 16th at the Friends Village, Woodstown, New Jersey.  Howard, as he was known by his many friends, was born February 12, 1938 to Caroline Helene Roth and William Howard Heritage Sr.  For forty years he owned and operated WW. Heritage Sons, Inc. in Richwood, New Jersey, the farm started by his grandfather and father.  In 1999 he married Natalie Price Sandell, formerly of Richwood and the couple resided in West Virginia where he planted a small orchard . The Richwood farm passed to the next generation under son William Howard III and wife Penni, who with their three sons, William Richard, Bryan Wade, and Erik Eli survive him.  Howard is also survived by two daughters, Sharon Heritage Tischner of Richwood, Elli Heritage Mench and husband Gunther of Kamuela, Hawaii. He is survived by one brother, Walter Wade of Pilesgrove and is predeceased by a sister, Katherine Roth Heritage.
Howard was a star football player and 1956 graduate of Glassboro High School.   He was a lifetime member of the Richwood United Methodist Church.  He held offices and was active in the New Jersey Peach Tree Council, New Jersey Horticultural Society, Jersey Fruit Cooperative, Richwood Academy Association, Lewis Reuter Deer Club, National Peach Council and the Greenville, WV Ruritan.
Howard’s seven-year battle with multiple myeloma was an inspiration to all who knew and loved him.  Full of life and always helping others he had such courage and optimism toward his condition that his quality of life was rich until the last few months. 
A visitation will be held Thursday May 20th at Richwood United Methodist Church from 9am to 11am. A memorial service, Interment, and lunch at the fellowship hall will follow.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions of sympathy be sent to the Richwood United Methodist Church, PO Box 7, Richwood, NJ  08074.