William P. Howley, Sr., 85
Dateline: Sharon, MA
William P. Howley, Sr., age 85, of Sharon, passed away in the presence of his loving family on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at Norwood Hospital in Norwood.
He was the beloved husband of Helen M. (Legee) Howley, to whom he was wed for 46 years and the late Agnes E. (White) Howley.
Born in Boston, MA on April 16, 1930, he was a loving son of the late William P. and Mary C. (Matthews) Howley.
Bill spent his early childhood living in Ashland. He later moved to Natick and was a 1949 graduate of Natick High School. While in high school he served as a captain of the golf team and was a member of the Massachusetts National Guard.
He proudly served his country for four years as a member of the United States Air Force during the Korean war, and was honorably discharged on March 5, 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Mr. Howley was a retired Plant Manager at Bally Northeast in Dedham, where he had worked for 13 years. He had previously been employed as an Engineer at Raytheon in North Dighton.
A resident of Sharon for the past 48 years, Bill was a communicant of Our lady of Sorrows Church in Sharon. His community involvements included being a former coach, treasurer and president for Sharon Pop Warner Football, and a former member and president of the Sharon High School Boosters Club.
Bill’s favorite times spent were those in the presence of his adoring family. He was a member of the Foxboro American Legion Post and when younger enjoyed gardening, was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed camping as well.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his devoted children William P. Howley and his wife Carole of Seabrook, NH, Lorraine M. Birkbeck and her husband Larry of Plainville, Elizabeth A. Howley and her husband Chuck Scott of Oregon, Joseph Howley and his wife Brigitte of Maryland, Joanne M. Valeri and her husband Stephen of Mansfield, Kathleen A. Lussier of Plainville and Ellen M. McGowan and her former husband Chris of Mansfield. He was the dear brother of Theresa Barbieri of Framingham and the late Catherine Franciose, Joan Gopian and James Hoey. He was the father in law of the late Rick Lussier and is also survived by his cherished 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
His funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Friday, December 18th at 11:00 A.M. in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 59 Cottage St., Sharon. Military honors will be performed at the conclusion of services. Burial will be private.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, December 17th from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.
Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 202, Cambridge, MA 02140.
To send the Howley family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com