William Everitt Cordes

William Everitt Cordes, affectionately known as “Mountain Man” of Hampton, NJ, passed away in his home on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the age of 92. 

Bill was born June 25, 1933 in Newark, NJ to the late Lillian Cordes Stauffer.  

He was a lifelong resident of Hunterdon County, NJ, residing for the majority of his life in Hampton. Bill was a proud Korean War Veteran.

During his time serving in the Air Force, he attended the University of Alabama. Bill worked as a deputy for Fish and Game during his younger years, and also worked at Ingersoll Rand in Phillipsburg, NJ, Bell & Howell in Phillipsburg, NJ, and Flemington Block & Supply Inc. in Ringoes, NJ.  He retired in 2002 as a custodian at the Hunterdon Developmental Center in Clinton, NJ.

Most importantly, Bill was a farmer. He finished first on the NJ State Farming Exam. Bill milked cows for the Vargo family farm in Bloomsbury, NJ and also in the 50’s on Riegel Ridge in Holland Township. He was a crop farmer at the old Fitzer farm on Mt. Salem Rd, Pittstown, NJ for 23 years and on various farms on Bloomsbury Mountain and in his hometown of Norton for over 40 years. While working on his own family farm, Bill extended his help and expertise to many other farms throughout Hunterdon County.  Some of the farms he worked on once occupied the land where Spruce Run Reservoir and Round Valley Reservoir are today. His memory was rich with history and he enjoyed telling stories of the good old days. 

Bill was a long-time member of the West Norton Deer Club and Bellewood VFW in Pattenburg, NJ. He also served as a volunteer for the Pattenburg Volunteer Fire Company, where he helped build the firehouse. 

While farming was his first love, he also enjoyedracing stock cars at Flemington Speedway, Nazareth Speedway and numerous other race tracks in the area; most notably with car 99 and his 37 ford coupe car71E. He also, along with his brother-in-law Larry Bowers, and many other local racers, raced on the Bowers family farm dirt track in Bethlehem Township, NJ. Bill also loved hunting, having picnics at the Mountain View Chalet in Asbury, NJ, and meeting friends at Roy’s Bar and Grill in Asbury, NJ. He had a lifelong love for antiques and collectibles and often referred to his home as the “museum”. He especially enjoyed collecting milk bottles and farm memorabilia. He was eager to engage anyone who showed interest and knew where every item came from and the back story behind it. He had a great sense of humor and helpful nature and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Bill is survived by his three sons: Michael Cordes of Hampton, NJ, Charles Cordes of Hampton, NJ, and Henry Cordes and his wife, Beth, of Hampton, NJ. His eight grandchildren: Heather, Dana, Mason, Michael, Daniel, Kaitlyn, Sierra, and Henry. His eleven great-grandchildren whom he cherished immensely: Madison, Kenneth, Axel, Cole, Aria, Zane, Harlow, Isabelle, Wyatt, Kinsley, and Caden. He is also survived by his brother, Bob Wilson, and his wife, Patti, of Fountain Hills, AZ, whom Bill reunited with just five years ago after being separated for 80 years. Reuniting with his brother meant everything to him.

Bill was predeceased in death by one brother, Charles “Bud” Stauffer.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 10 am to 11:30 am. Funeral service will follow at 11:30 am. All at Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main St., Lebanon, NJ. Interment will take place at Bloomsbury Cemetery in Stewartsville, NJ. Family & friends are invited to gather at the VFW Post 5119 located at 179 Main St Glen Gardner, NJimmediately following the cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may bemade to Veteran’s Haven North 200 Sanatorium Rd. Suite 101, Glen Gardner, NJ 08826 or to Open Cupboard Food Pantry Grayrock Plaza, 1802 NJ-31 Clinton, NJ 08809. C/o Farmer Bill Cordes.

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