Obituary of William T. Griscom

William Test Griscom, 95, of Pennsville, NJ passed away surrounded by his family and his wife by his side, at Christiana Care, Newark, DE on December 23, 2019. Bill was born January 3, 1924 along with his twin brother, Arthur while their mother, Blanche was at a "hog slaughter" at the Sullivan house on Supawna Road in the community known as "Pig's Eye". Bill, Arthur, older brother Minor and their parents all lived in the Davis House on Lighthouse Road. Later, the family moved across the field to the Sinnickson Farm, better known as "Pig's Eye Farm" on the Salem-Pennsville Road. The three boys grew up there...with only one outhouse. When Bill's brothers left, he took over the day-to-day operations of the farm and eventually bought out his parents, who moved into their own home. Bill met Edna May "Eddie" Thompson of Pennsauken, NJ in 1946 at Dancette in Oaklyn, a South Jersey dance club where farm boys would go to on weekends to meet the "city girls". They married May 20, 1947. Together they raised a son, a daughter, and managed over 400 acres on their own farm, as well as acreage on other nearby farms until Bill's retirement in 1988. In the 1960's Bill ended his dairy operation and focused his attention on growing tomatoes that were sold to Del Monte in Swedesboro and primarily to the Heinz factory in Salem. However, Bill was best known for his produce market and Jersey Silver Queen corn that he sold local to markets and even to competing roadside markets in the area! Many fondly remember Griscom's Produce and 30-50 years later folks will tell you how Bill Griscom grew the best corn and tomatoes they'd ever tasted. Even out-of-state vacationers would go out of their way to stop by "Pig's Eye Farm" and load up on Bill's vegetables before heading down the Jersey Shore. Many locals might remember their teenage years working hot summer days on the farm; baling hay, pulling corn, & picking or loading tomatoes. Many Pennsville residents might also remember Bill and his tractor plowing snow from their driveways after a winter storm...whether you asked him to or not...expecting absolutely nothing in return. During the off-season winter months, Bill drove an oil delivery truck for the Laury Heating Co. At 65, Bill retired from farming and he and his wife moved up the road to their quaint dream house. Their retirement years were filled with a couple of cross-country road trips (would anyone like to see the home videos?), summers at the Maddox Campground in Chincoteague, VA, visits from their grandkids and great-grandkids, yard-sales, Tuesday mornings at Cowtown, attending the annual Old Boys Club meetings and feeding treats to their Silky Terrier "Kadee" while watching 1940's black & white western movies and 1950's cowboy TV shows... each for at least the 1,000th time...and all at 100+% volume!!! Bill and Eddie Griscom were longtime members of the Lutheran Church of St Ambrose in Pennsville. Bill was practical yet generous. Those that knew him well, know that the only thing that surpassed his satisfaction in his achievements in life was the love, pride and devotion he had for his family. Simply put, he was one of the good guys and he will be missed. Bill was pre-deceased by his father Arthur Johnson Griscom, Sr; mother Mary Blanchard "Blanche" (Hyson) Griscom; brother Minor Fox Griscom, and twin brother Arthur Johnson Griscom, Jr. Bill is survived by his wife, Edna May "Eddie" (Thompson) Griscom; son, Wayne Griscom; daughter, Kim Griscom Bryant (Harry); grandsons Rick Talerico (Dawn), Ryan Griscom (Alexa), Daniel Bryant, Michael Bryant, Stacia Bryant Cheeseman (Wayne); great - grandchildren Nicki, Kelly, and Brady Talerico; Jacob and Abigail Cheeseman. Bill is also survived by four Griscom nephews; William, David, Scott and Jay. A memorial service will be held at the Lutheran Church of St. Ambrose, 443 S. Broadway, Pennsville on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 11 a.m.. A reception will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting contributions be donated to St Ambrose or a local community not-for-profit charity of your choice in memory of Bill Griscom. Funeral arrangements provided by the Laughrey Funeral Home, 1 North Broadway, Pennsville, NJ. www.laughreyfuneralhome.com