WILLIAM FRANCIS RANIERI, DO DFACN – 80, passed away peacefully Tuesday October 20, 2021 after a long struggle with complications from diabetes. Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Roseann (nee Mobilio), whom he met in kindergarten, his children Cassandra Shober (husband Bard) of Linwood, William "B.G." Ranieri (Yvette Bertsch) of Ventnor and Alexandra Ranieri-Deniken, PsyD (husband Michael) of Cherry Hill; as well as his loving grandchildren, Dale Shober, Michael "Mikey" Deniken, and Jonathan Deniken.

Bill is best known for his role in establishing and maintaining mental health services in Southern New Jersey. He graduated Msgr. Bonner High School in 1958, from St. Joseph's University in 1962, and attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where he earned his medical degree in 1966. Following graduation, he served as a Captain in the Army Medical Corp. and was a Battalion Surgeon of the 1/122 Infantry Regulars of the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. He earned a Bronze Star and Combat Medical Badge. He completed his military service at Ireland Army Hospital in the Psychiatry Department at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  He was among the first Osteopathic doctors to be board certified in Psychiatry receiving the third certificate in the nation in Psychiatry. In 1977 he joined the faculty at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine (now Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine), and in 1978 he established a psychiatry service at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Cherry Hill, serving as the Chief of Service.  By 1983 he was the first and founding chair of a full psychiatry department at UMDNJ-SOM.  He is responsible for securing AOA (American Osteopathic Association) accreditation for the psychiatry residence program at Kennedy in 1986.  During his long career in medicine, he also served as the Psychiatric Consultant for the Diocese of Camden and is a member of the Order of St. Gregory. Bill served as President of the College of Osteopathic Neurology and Psychiatry in 1989. He served as Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at UMDNJ from 1983 until 2003, growing the department from just 3 doctors to a department of more than 40 psychiatrists.  From 2003 to 2007 he served as the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at UMDNJ-SOM.  He was awarded the school's Founders Award in 2015, became Professor Emeritus in 2016, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2018 and the AOA President's Award, by Dr. John Becher in 2020. Bill committed his life to healthcare, mental health and mental wellness and lived his life large: traveling the world, always bringing the party, and celebrating everything with his soulmate, family and friends. He loved to introduce himself by saying "But you can call me by my first name Doctor."

Visitation will be Saturday October 23, 2021, from 9 to 11 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am at Christ the King Church, 200 Windsor Avenue, Haddonfield. Entombment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the William F. and Roseann J. Ranieri Scholarship at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, established to benefit 4th year medical students entering the field of Psychiatry. Contributions may be sent to Rowan University Foundation 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028. Rowan University - Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine – Donor and Gift Info (rufoundation.org)

The family respectfully requests that all attendees wear masks.