William K. “Bill” Heine, 54, of Howell, who was Monmouth County’s director of public information since 2005, died at home on Sept. 9.
A press release from the county said Heine died of natural causes.
Heine had been employed with the county as the chief spokesman and department head of the Monmouth County Public Information and Tourism Departments since 2005.
Heine championed many charitable endeavors, including food drives for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and the Howell Little League.
According to the press release, Heine was recently honored for winning a nationwide photography contest sponsored by the National Association of County Information Officers for his photograph taken during a 10th anniversary memorial service commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
He was also the recipient of state and national awards for his work in the county’s public information program.
Prior to his employment with Monmouth County, Heine served as the spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and State of New Jersey Public Defenders Office.
He was a reporter and editor for the Asbury Park Press from 1980-97. For a short time, Heine worked as a part-time copy editor at Greater Media Newspapers.