NEW BEDFORD — William Roland Fortier Sr., age 87 years, of New Bedford, died Thursday, August 16, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the husband of Dorothy (Healy) Fortier to whom he was married for 61 years.
Son of the late Romeo Fortier and Anne E. (McClurg) Hooper, he was born in New Bedford and lived in this community most of his life.
Bill graduated from Stamford, Connecticut High School Class of 1942 and then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a Pharmacist's Mate First Class and served on the USS LST 50 and the USS General J.R. Brooks. Upon returning home, he studied and received his certification as a Funeral Director at the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing (now associated with Mt. Ida College).
On August 16, 1946, he became employed at the Edward T. Wilson Inc. Funeral Home (dba Wilson Chapel) of New Bedford until his retirement.
A communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church, he was a member of the Mass. Funeral Directors Association and the American Association of Retired Persons.
Bill is survived by his wife Dorothy of New Bedford; his children, Carol A. Rochefort and her husband, Richard of Fairhaven, Debra J. Sullivan and her husband, Leo of Warren, R.I., and William R. Fortier Jr. of Fairhaven; four grandchildren, Timothy S. Sullivan, Kevin J. Sullivan, Jason S. Fortier and Kristin E. Rochefort; his sister, Kathleen Thompson and her husband, Ellsworth of New Hampshire; and his aunt, Elsie Grant of New Bedford.
His funeral will take place on Thursday, August 23rd at noon in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 4256 Acushnet Ave., N.B., with friends being received at the church within the half hour prior to his service. Burial in the Veterans National Cemetery in Bourne is private.
Remembrances may be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.