William D. Trego took leave of this world on Sunday, January 11, 2026. He died in the comfort of his living room, as he wished, next to a blazing fireplace, surrounded in love by his family and Charity, his cherished Great Pyrenees. With characteristic determination and his strong physical constitution, Bill fought valiantly in his two-year battle against an aggressive cancer with serious surgeries and treatments.

Known to many in New Jersey’s Somerset Hills as “Uncle Bill,” he was often seen navigating his bright blue New Holland tractor through the main streets of Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills, and Bedminster. He traveled the backroads between well-tended farms and resplendent properties – all while annoying certain drivers with the tractor’s slow pace. As some would say, Bill was larger than life, a man’s man, a local legend, a big personality with a soft heart, and perhaps some off-color descriptors, too. He was dependable and generous with his time – to his church, to his wide circle of friends from all walks of life, and especially to “all the pretty girls,” many of whom who tenderly cared for Bill during his illness.

Bill was a consummate storyteller with wide-ranging knowledge and keen insights to the human condition. With a stocked storehouse of jokes, he delighted in making anyone within earshot laugh. Bill said the quiet part out loud, and he had fun doing so. He was a study in contradiction. When he wasn’t yelling, Bill was charming and engaging. Bill loved his life. He was unapologetic and unconcerned with what others thought of him or his lifestyle.

In forty years of writing and publishing, Bill used his gifted literary voice and inherent flair for creative writing. He passionately pursued writing short stories and articles about the pleasures of rural life in New Jersey’s Somerset Hills. Bill’s pieces were published for years in various periodicals. The New York Times created a monthly column for him called "Soapbox." Bill was elated to see his response to an editorial about sheep breeds in The New Yorker, his perennial favorite magazine. He also contributed stories to the Black River Journal, New Jersey Countryside, Lancaster Farming, and local newspapers. He was a member of numerous literary societies including the Philadelphia Book Guild, the Philobiblon Club of Philadelphia, The National Sporting Library & Museum in Middleburg, VA. Bill also relished his visits to the Grolier Club in New York City.

Born August 16, 1950, Bill was the son of Navy Lt. Commander D. Neal Trego and Mary Elizabeth Brown Trego. He grew up in Merion Park in suburban Philadelphia. He attended the well-regarded Lower Merion schools and graduated high school in 1969. Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Temple University in 1973 and a Master’s degree in English Literature at Villanova University. Bill also took summer courses at the Philadelphia College` of Art where he studied photography, color theory and graphic design.

A life-long Episcopalian, Bill and his family worshipped at All Saints Episcopal Church in Wynnewood, PA. His mother, Betty, served as a Sunday School teacher and Bill as an acolyte and member of the children’s choir. On special Sunday afternoons, Bill and his mother, who an artist as a young woman, enjoyed art exhibits at the nearby Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Those delightful memories grounded Bill’s world. When Bill was fifteen years old, Betty passed away and was interred in the memorial garden at All Saints. In honoring his mother’s memory and their close bond, Bill sought to weave threads of faith, family and fine art into the fabric of his life.

Further influencing Bill’s appreciation of beauty, nature and the simple life were family trips to Lancaster County, PA. His father grew up in Ephrata, and Bill’s great-grandfather was a Mennonite preacher, Bishop Elias Hornberger. Bill’s favorite memories were adventures among some of the most productive and picturesque farms in the United States. Especially dear were visits to the small farm his Aunt Es and Uncle Dave owned. Bill was excited to ride with Uncle Dave on the tractor, and would do so all day long if he could. It was here, in the tranquility of Lancaster County, that the rich scent of fertile red soil, the day-long prattle of farm animals, and even the whiff of manure would remain with Bill his whole life.

Growing up, Bill’s father owned an insurance agency. After grad school, Bill expanded his knowledge of various insurance specialties by day, and by night, he amused his clientele while bartending at popular watering holes along The Main Line. In the late 1970’s, he and two partners founded Martin, Trego & Vodges in Cape May, NJ. For over a decade, the firm specialized in marine insurance for boats and ships of all sizes, including a fleet of scallop trawlers in the waters of South Jersey.

During these summers, Bill lived on his 36’ Pacemaker sportfishing boat. It was his floating sanctuary. He developed a colorful reputation on the docks of Cape May’s Corinthian Yacht Club. When not in his office, Bill was offshore fishing for tuna, marlin and striped bass. Most winters he took extended fishing trips to Key West. He “celebrated the catch” with literary outdoorsmen Jeffrey Cardenas, Jim Harrison, and Thomas McGuane (married to Laura, Jimmy Buffet’s sister) and lived the Hemingway lifestyle. Years later at his boutique publishing house, Meadow Run Press, Bill would publish books for several of these authors and included illustrations by renowned wildlife painters, Peter Corbin and James Pozek.

Bill met his bride, Patricia (Tricia) Mary Bender, in Avalon, NJ. She taught French and ESL and, as Bill would point out, earned two Masters degrees. They married in September of 1982 in Short Hills, NJ. Bill and Tricia settled into their home in Cape May Courthouse and enjoyed Tricia’s fine French cooking and an active social life at the yacht club. One of his partners bought out the insurance firm 1987 and Bill’s life started anew.

Exploring a new career at 37, Bill researched the publishing business and dreamed where it would take him. He launched Meadow Run Press in Stone Harbor, NJ in 1988. He published his first book, Caught on the Fly – a reprint of the 1908 classic by English author, Arthur St. John Newberry – in 1989. Meadow Run Press published fifty-five books in its twenty-year history. These included Deluxe and Limited Editions, signed by authors and the publisher. Using elegant materials and exacting finishes, Meadow Run Press was known for its signature fine bindings and splendid, illustrated slipcovers. These books focused on the culture, heritage and spiritual dimensions of deep sea and fly fishing. Bill’s literary work was devoted to the conservation of, and rejoicing in, all of God’s creation. Meadow Run Press’ extensive mailing list included well-known authors, along with Tom Brokaw and George H. W. Bush.

Bringing significant recognition to Meadow Run Press, and personal delight to Bill, was the 1992 publication of original material from nature writer and sportsman, Harry Middleton. His lyrical and philosophical account of angling in The Starlight Creek Angling Society, was an inspiration and cornerstone of Bill’s life. Harry and Bill were kindred spirits and instant brothers. Sadly, their friendship lasted less than two years when Harry died in a swimming pool accident.

Later that year, Bill and Tricia were offered a lovely cottage on 60 acres in Bernardsville, NJ. However, the property came with a catch: to shepherd 40+ rams and ewes in open pasture, and tend to fruit trees, tobacco and other crops. This opportunity hit a sweet spot in Bill’s heart and stirred his fond early memories of Lancaster County farming. Borrowing from his friend Harry, Bill named the property Starlight Creek Farm and later launched Starlight Creek Agricultural Services. Between sheep farming and other chores, Bill continued Meadow Run Press at the farm and later from Bill and Tricia’s Bedminster home of 30 years. They lived a simple life without television, and only begrudgingly, installed an internet connection. Bill eschewed a cell phone for at least a decade, then fully embraced texting his family and friends.

When Bill needed a livestock guardian dog to protect his sheep by night, he found a new love of his life – Hoodee. She was an Akbash dog – large, white and specifically bred for centuries in Turkey to watch over defenseless sheep. Hoodee also excelled at guarding Bill. Many a pedestrian found that out when approaching too closely to Bill’s green, somewhat battered, Ford pickup with a colorful brook trout and Starlight Creek painted on the door. Although Hoodee was safely leashed and secured in her truck-bed cage, her fierce and deafening bark was yet another civic annoyance.

Bill’s active return to The Episcopal Church brought some of the best years of his life. Bill’s lifetime joys came full circle with fellowship, spiritual and intellectual growth, and community at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Gladstone, NJ. He helped the church in whatever ways he could – transporting heavy items for the church or parishioners and assisting with the grounds. Seven of Bill’s American Holly trees were relocated from his property to St. Luke’s. He donated a pair of Red Oaks along the driveway and a perfect pink Dogwood next to Ann’s Garden. He served on committees for Building & Grounds, Parish Life Guild, and the 125th Year Anniversary.

If pumpkins were needed for the Fall Festival sale benefitting the youth group, or farm livestock for the Blessing of the Animals, or a Santa Claus to delight children at the church Christmas party, Bill was your man. Perhaps his greatest gift to St. Luke’s was acting in his unofficial role as “New Member Recruiter.” Bill’s engaging nature drew many visitors and new members. At St. Luke’s in 2015, he established the Starlight Creek Writers Group which meets monthly and is open to writers of all levels in the community. The group continues as a living extension of Bill’s belief in craftmanship, attention to the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, and his quiet joys of reading, music, contemplation, and book collecting.

Bill is survived by his sister, Ann Trego Wilkinson (Kurt), his brother, Robert Neal Trego (Lesley), and his sister-in-law, Nancy ReMine Trego; four nephews James Neal Trego (Lauren), Garrett Douglas Trego (Meredith), Matthew Robert Trego (Justine), Andrew Christopher Trego (Jessi), and his daughter from a previous relationship, Annie Lynn Ballan, and grandson Justin Mueller. Bill leaves a flock of eleven Trego great-nieces and great-nephews: Emma, Addison and Marlee Ann; Marshall, Simon and Josephine; Noah, Eli and Alethea; Parker and Navy. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia, and his older brother, Geoffrey Garrett Trego.

A celebration of Bill’s colorful life will be held at 11AM on April 11, 2026 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 182 Main Street in Gladstone, NJ. A reception will follow in Green Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for Young-Onset Colorectal & Gastrointestinal Cancer in NYC, or Center for Hope, Hospice & Palliative Care in Scotch Plains, NJ.