Harold “Bill” Zeller, Jr.

We are profoundly saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Harold (Bill) W. Zeller Jr on December 6, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, AL, after a courageous, years-long journey with Alzheimer's disease. Bill was born in New York, NY on May 6, 1947, and was lovingly adopted by Harold W. and Fran Zeller of the Township of Toms River, New Jersey. With the guidance, support and deep love of his parents and large extended family, Bill flourished and developed a lifelong passion for boating at Zeller Marine where he would sell, service, and teach owners about their new watercraft. It is during these formative years that Bill developed a profound love of the sea.

As an adult, Bill could be found on the water in his latest boat almost any weekend, generously hosting friends and family, always with his beloved wife, Brenda ("Brendies") by his side. Besides time with his cherished family in NJ and Florida, the sea was Bill's happy place.

Bill also had an extraordinary professional life. In 1966, he moved to Florida and subsequently partnered with Jim Mellon to launch Mellon Security and Sound in Lantana, FL. Shortly thereafter, Mellon Security and Sound grew to be the largest privately held security company east of the Mississippi River. He was a founding member of the Alarm Association of Florida (AAF) and named a Silver Pioneer of the organization. Bill was also the 2002 AAF Most Valuable Person of the Year. His contributions to the alarm industry are far-reaching and Bill's work ethic, unparalleled. He is credited with the development of well-trained alarm technicians in Florida, and tirelessly lobbied elected officials in Washington D.C., which resulted in the creation of legislation that shaped the alarm industry nationally.

At the root of Bill's life and accomplishments, however, was Bill's deep faith. Throughout his life, Bill was a devoted Catholic parishioner and wherever he traveled, he always found a nearby church to attend. His church family at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Palm City, FL, his neighbors and friends at Palm Cove and the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club will also miss Bill tremendously.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 37 years, Brenda B. Zeller; his daughter Dianne Gray, his son and daughter-in-law Jim and Lori Barrett, grandchildren Dr. Amy Salazar (Timy) and Christina Aguilera; cousins Bonnie Bauer, Bruce John Bauer (Hope), Nancy Bauer Gearhart, Sally Bauer Doerr (Tim) and Richard Relyea. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Harold W. and Fran Zeller.

Memorial services in Bill's honor will be held December 16, 2022, at Holy Spirit Church in Tuscaloosa, AL where Bill and Brenda have resided for the past 2 ½ years. Internment at Williamson Cemetery will follow a Catholic Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/ ' Foster Care Adoption, a cause near to Bill's heart. As well, the family would also like to thank Bill's extraordinary caregivers (especially his daughter-in-law Lori) for their compassionate care over the past few years. Bill's integrity, kindness, generosity, and sense of humor will always be remembered.