William F. Nethercote

William F. Nethercote, Jr., age 95, died peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Waltham, Massachusetts on March 21, 1919, he was the son of the late William F. and Mary G. (McCue) Nethercote.  He was raised in Waltham, Massachusetts, and for a time during the Great Depression, he helped support his family with a paper route.  He served as an Altar Boy at Saint Charles Catholic Church in Waltham and, graduated from Saint Charles High School with the class of 1936.  While in high school, Bill played football, basketball, and baseball, but most importantly, he met his wife Erna at the St. Charles dance. They were married on April 20, 1941, prior to Bill being inducted into the United States Army.

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II.  He was the Master Sergeant of the 724^th Railway Operating Battalion, landing in Normandy on D-Day. He spent 3 years in France overseeing the railway supply trains bound for Germany.  He was honorably discharged in 1946.  

Upon his return from the war, Bill and his wife Erna made their home together in Newton.  As their family continued to grow, they moved to Auburn, and finally, settled in Walpole, Massachusetts in 1958.  

Bill worked as a manufactures representative for American Standard, selling plumbing and heating supplies for 32 years, until his retirement in 1982.

While living in Walpole, he was very active in both the Blessed Sacrament Church and town politics.  At Blessed Sacrament, he served as a Eucharistic Minister, ran the CCD Program, and served on various committees.  Within the Town of Walpole, Bill was a former member of the Walpole Housing Authority, and was the past chairman of the Democratic Town Committee.  Bill was an avid tennis player and a founding member of the Walpole Tennis Club.



After his retirement from American Standard, Bill enjoyed spending the winter in Delray Beach, Florida, where he continued to play tennis and hold Friday night poker games.

Most of all, Bill was a family man.  As a devoted husband, he renewed his vows to Erna on the altar of the Blessed Sacrament Church, on their 50^th Wedding Anniversary. As a role model for his children, he enjoyed teaching them one of his favorite games, tennis. He took pride in the accomplishments of his grandchildren, and was always there to lend an ear and give advice.

Beloved husband of 73 years of Erna A. (Brennan) Nethercote.

Loving father of Richard M. and his wife Susan Nethercote of Florida, Robert F. and his wife Suzanne Nethercote of Cohasset, Nancy A. and her husband James Burke of Walpole, Elaine Nethercote Yerganian of Walpole, and William F. III and his wife Lucille Nethercote of Norfolk.

Cherished grandfather of Rich, Michael, Sarah, Beth, Katie, Maryann, Elaine, Amy, Brian, Melissa, Julie, AnnMarie, Billy, Chris, and David and great grandfather of 16.

Brother of Grace Shelley of Northborough, the late Richard Nethercote, and the late Mary Nethercote.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Bill’s Life Celebration on Friday, November 7, 2014 from 4-8PM and Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 11:30AM - 12 NOON in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 12:30 PM.  Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blessed Sacrament School, 808 East Street, Walpole, Massachusetts 02081.