William Cornell Reid, age 65, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on February 11, 1949 in New Bedford Massachusetts, he was the eldest son of Leslie M. Reid and Edith R. (Cornell) Reid. William grew up in New Bedford, graduating from New Bedford High School and later moved to Dartmouth Massachusetts. After high school, he joined the United States Navy and from there, became a member of Seabees, Unit R.N.M.C.B. 12, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He went on to graduate from Bristol Community College and later from Salve Regina with a degree in Criminal Justice.
In 1975 William married Deborah Howland Reid of Dartmouth, where they lived and raised their three children. He was a dutiful civil servant, working as a corrections officer for Bridgewater State Penitentiary, until his retirement. William was a more than avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and gardening. He took advantage of every opportunity in the “wildlife management department” including hunting, fishing and relocation. He was member of the Abraham H. Howland Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of New Bedford.
William was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He always put others before himself, taking care to make sure everyone always had a smile or a chuckle. Often described as the life of the party, he was everyone’s favorite dance partner. He has given us all wonderful gifts and taught us amazing life lessons. To know him made you a better individual.
William is survived by his wife, Deborah of 38 years, his three children, Jessica H. Medeiros, her husband John and their children, Abigail, Emily, Elizabeth and Thaddeus; Melissa M. Kochan, her husband Todd and their children, Brooke, Morgan and Lauren; William H. Reid, his wife Jennifer and their children Avery, Ella and Aubrie, all of Dartmouth. He is also survived by his sisters, Elizabeth (Reid) Fernandes and her husband Justino of Hingham, Martha Reid and her husband Benjamin Benton of Sudbury, a brother, John B. Reid of Ohio and three sisters-in-law, Mildred (Howland) Scott and Marion (Mello) Reid of Dartmouth and Carol A. (Howland) Lawrence of New Bedford, his great aunt, Eleanor Johnson of Dartmouth as well as many loved nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, David R. Reid and his brother-in-law, Bradford R. Scott.
His visiting hours will be held on SATURDAY MARCH 15, 2014 from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. His Memorial Service will be held on SATURDAY MARCH 22, 2014 at 11 AM at the Smith Neck Friends Meeting House. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Neely House, The Cam Neely Foundation, 30 Winter Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02108. For directions and condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.