William A. MacKenzie

William A. MacKenzie, age 79, passed away peacefully in his daughter's home in Blackstone, Massachusetts on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on November 26, 1937, he was the son of the late Fred and Mary (Reed) MacKenzie. He was raised in Norwood before moving to Walpole with his family at the age of 15. He met his wife to be, Marjorie A. Smith, in 1952 and the two went steady all through high school. After graduation, Bill asked Margie to marry him just prior to enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1955. During his first year, he was stationed at Toole Air Force Base in Greenland, serving as the company clerk. After his return to the United States, he married Margie on June 22, 1957, and the young couple obtained a trailer, which become their home for the next couple of years. Bill was stationed in Fort Fairfield, Maine, and while living there, Bill and Margie welcomed their first child, Linda. He was honorably discharged in 1959, after earning the rank of Airman 2nd Class.

Upon his discharge, Bill used his veteran's status to obtain a VA Loan to purchase his first house in Plainville on Ewald Avenue and quickly found work at the Kinney Shoe Store in North Attleboro. Bill has an eye for construction and found the old straw hat factory in Wrentham to be quite suitable to convert into a home. He purchases the factory and began working on it to create a main home for himself as well as two apartments to rent. After it was completed, he sold his house in Plainville and moved his family into the main house and used the apartments for extra income. While living in Wrentham, Bill and Margie welcomed their second and third daughters, Laura and Nancy. He took a position as the store manager of a shoe store in Dedham, however at the age of 35, he decided to change his career path and went to the police academy, taking his first law enforcement job as a patrolman with the Plainville Police Department. He went on to work as a police officer with the Norfolk Police Department before settling into his job with the Wrentham Police Department.

Bill became involved in his community and after meeting a close friend, he became interested in the Free Masons, and within 5 years became the Master Mason of his Lodge. He continued to better himself and his career by returning to school and earning his Bachelor's Degree from Bryant College before taking the Sergeant's Exam and earning the rank of Sergeant with the Wrentham Police Department. After two of his children moved out on their own, Bill decided to sell his home on Shears Street to build his dream home on Sleepy Hollow in Wrentham.

Bill developed an interest in building a coffee shop business and created the Cup and I in Wrentham, which over a few years grew into 4 stores and an ice cream shop. All of his family members lent a hand, including his wife, daughter, and nieces. Bill retired from the Wrentham Police Department as the Interim Chief in 1996, after 20 plus years of dedicated service. After retirement, he saw the changing times and sold his businesses and pursued his contractor's license. He began rehabbing houses and with each one sold, he wisely invested for his future with Margie. Once the housing market changed, Bill began working alongside a friend doing home improvements, before finally retiring at the age of 78. He and Margie decided to sell their home on Sleepy Hollow to purchase their retirement home on Flemming Island in Florida.

Bill leaves his wife, three daughters, six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren, in addition to many happy and wonderful memories with his family and friends over the years.

Beloved husband of Marjorie A. MacKenzie.
Loving father of Linda M. Pittsley and her husband Harold of Wrentham, Laura J. McClure and her husband Roger of Flemming Island, FL, and Nancy A. MacKenzie of Blackstone.
Cherished grandfather of Lisa A. Chapin, Thomas A. Pittsley, Jessica L. Leonard, William M. Larson, David V. Amante, and Alyssa A. Guinard and great grandfather of Ariana L. Chapin, Madison R. Chapin, Emily P. Chapin, Owen M. Leonard, Ayla G. Leonard, Cora E. Leonard, and Lana O. Larson.
Brother of Kenneth MacKenzie of AR, the late Donald, Phillip, and Fredrick MacKenzie.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend William's Life Celebration on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 from 4-7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Home Service will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery in Norwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.