William D'Elia, also known as "Big Billy," was born on June 24, 1946 in Pennsylvania. He grew up in Trenton, where he had a modest upbringing. From a young age, he was drawn to the world of organized crime and quickly found himself involved in various criminal activities.
In the late 1960s, D'Elia joined the Bufalino crime family and became the driver for Russell Bufalino, a prominent mob boss. Under Bufalino's guidance, D'Elia quickly climbed the ranks and established himself as a key player within the organization. Known for his cunning and ruthless tactics, he gained a reputation as a formidable force in the world of organized crime.
D'Elia's criminal empire eventually caught the attention of law enforcement, leading to a series of legal troubles. In 2008, he pled guilty to money laundering conspiracy and witness tampering. The witness tampering charge stemmed from an incident where he unknowingly hired an informant to eliminate a co-conspirator set to testify against him. Despite his efforts to evade justice, D'Elia was eventually sentenced to prison.
Outside of his criminal endeavors, D'Elia led a relatively quiet family life. He was married to Ellen and had three children - Russell, Carolyn, and Miriam. Despite the dangers of his underworld activities, he strived to provide for and protect his family.
After serving his time in prison, D'Elia was released in 2013. While he may have faded from the public eye, his legacy as a powerful mob boss continues to linger. His name is often mentioned in the same breath as other infamous mobsters from New Jersey, such as Mikey Coppola. Though his reign of terror may have come to an end, the impact of his criminal activities is still felt throughout the criminal underworld.