William “Bill” H. Powers, age 92 years, died peacefully at home in East Walpole, Massachusetts on May 27, 2020. Bill was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 28, 1928, son of the late Thomas and Irene (Eldridge) Powers. Raised in West Roxbury, he graduated with the class of 1945 from St. Mary’s High School in Brookline before earning a degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University. He then enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 1st Guided Missiles Group at Fort Bliss until 1951.
After his discharge from the Army, Bill was employed by the Boston Edison Company, where he began his career as an engineer. Upon earning his MBA at Northeastern in 1956, he spent the remainder of his career in finance. Bill married his beloved wife, Nora, on September 20, 1958. In 1960, they moved to the home he helped build in East Walpole and where he lived for the past 60 years.
An active member of Saint Mary’s Church in East Walpole, Bill was a co-founder of the Father Donald Delay Service Recognition Award, which provides scholarships to students who demonstrate continuous contributions to the parish, as well as a longtime member of the Finance Committee and the offertory team. He was an active Representative Town Meeting member for the Town of Walpole for many years and served on the Walpole School Committee.
Bill was a faithful Catholic, devout husband and father, strong advocate of education, and lover of sports. As a student athlete, Bill played quarterback for his high school football team, shortstop for both St. Mary’s and the American Legion, and second base for the Northeastern University Huskies. Bill’s hobbies included gardening, skiing and spending summers with family in Mattapoisett, MA.
Beloved husband of the late Nora M. (Fitzgibbon) Powers, Loving father of Robert P. Powers and his wife Jane of Wenham; Mary J. Lewek and her husband David of Mount Pleasant, SC; Thomas J. Powers and his wife Lori of Easton; Noreen E. Gordon and her husband Dennis of East Walpole; and William J. Powers and his wife Jill of Amherst, NH. Cherished grandfather of Thomas and his wife Rose, Peter and his wife Emily, James, Ryan, Nell, Kellie, Betsy, Abigail, Tara, Alec, Audrey, Amy, Charlie, and his newly welcomed great granddaughter, Paulina. Loving brother of Paul F. Powers of Westwood, the late Thomas J. Powers, and the late Robert C. Powers.
Due to the ongoing health crisis, and with concern for the well-being of family and friends, William will be laid to rest in a private graveside service at Mount Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury. A memorial Mass will be planned for a later date to celebrate a life well-lived.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Parish with Service Recognition Award noted in the memo section. Please mail to St. Mary’s Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole MA 02032.
Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.