...Vietnam veteran; 62
BILLERICA - William Francis O'Brien III, age 62, died Friday morning, May 25, at the E.N. Rogers Veteran's Administration Hospital in Bedford following a long illness.
He was born in Boston, October 31, 1949, the son of William F. and Irene (Armitage) O'Brien Jr. He was raised in Brighton, and upon the death of his mother, moved to his sister's home in LaVerne California in his teenage years. He enlisted into the Army in 1967, was honorably discharged in 1970. He returned to Massachusetts upon discharge and settled in Billerica.
He worked at the Polaroid company in Waltham as a technician for many years.
He is survived by his companion for the past twenty three years, Donna Ranson of Billerica; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Terry Bell of LaVerne, CA, Margaret Joan Marden and her husband Thomas of Wilmington; four nephews and a niece, Thomas P. Marden and his wife Donna of Danvers, Edward M. Marden and his wife Joanie of Hudson, NH, Kevin F. Marden and his wife Ann Marie of Wilmington, Terrijoan Irene Bello and her husband Michael of Tewksbury, Steven J. Marden and his wife Carol of AZ; eight grand nieces and grand nephews; and two great grand nephews.
He was also brother-in-law of the late David Bell.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday, May 30, in St. Dorothy's Church, Wilmington. Burial with Army Honors was held in St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury. Memorial contributions to the E.N. Rogers VA Hospital, Patient Activities Fund - 78C, 200 Spring Rd., Bedford, MA 01730, or the Billerica Food Pantry, Town Hall, 365 Boston Rd., Billerica, MA 01821 will be appreciated.