William O. "Bill" Kivi

William O. "Bill" Kivi, Jr., age 88, passed away peacefully in his Walpole, Massachusetts home on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Framingham, Massachusetts on June 19, 1928, he was the son of the late William O. and Blanche I. (Goff) Kivi. He was raised on High Street in Walpole, where he enjoyed skating on the ponds during the winter months and playing basketball and baseball in the warmer months. He graduated from the Norfolk Agricultural High School in Walpole with the Class of 1946.

During his early working career, Bill was a milkman, delivering for Endean Farm in East Walpole. While working at Endean, Bill married his loving wife, Phyllis D. Olson, on June 6, 1958 in the Salem/Faith Lutheran Church in Quincy. The young couple initially made their home on Common Street and after Bill began working at Dairy Lee in Bridgewater, they purchased their home on Smith Avenue in 1961. In the 1970s, with a family to support, Bill left his job at Dairy Lee to seek employment with the Walpole Woodworkers. He spent 25 years with the Woodworkers, retiring as the supervisor of the chain link division. In his retirement, Bill focused on giving back to his community, driving vans with YCN for special needs and disabled children. Bill's dedication to his community went beyond driving at YCN, as he spent 8 years volunteering his time with Meals on Wheels.

In his spare time, Bill kept a busy social calendar. He was very active in his church, Emmanuel Lutheran, in Norwood, where he loved singing with the choir for over 70 years. His singing was derived from his younger days of performing with various barbershop quartets. As a young man, Bill enjoyed square dancing both for the dancing and the calling, however after his wedding, he and Phyllis could be found dancing to the various Scandinavian songs, including the waltz and polkas. Bill was a long-time member of the Viking Club in Quincy, where he enjoyed teaching dance and the Order of the Runeberg in Norwood, where he has served as past president.

Although he kept busy, he enjoyed quiet time in and around his home. Bill loved tending to his vegetable garden and regularly planted flowers around his house. He was also a lifelong lover of sports and especially enjoyed watching the Celtics and Red Sox. Most of all, he cherished the time he spent with his family.

Beloved husband of Phyllis D. (Olson) Kivi.
Loving father of Kristen K. McCordick and her husband David of Westboro and Kara L. Avelar and her husband John of Walpole.
Cherished grandfather of Connor, Ryan, Niklas, Mattheu, and Julianna.
Brother of Gertrude I. Sullivan of Wrentham.
Also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Bill's Life Celebration on Sunday, April 23, 2017 from 2-5 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Service will be held in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Norwood on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 24 Berwick Street, Norwood, MA 02062.