William A. “Bill” Spear, Jr., 85, of Bellingham passed away peacefully on Monday, April 25, 2016 surrounded by his loved ones at Milford Regional Medical Center. He leaves his loving wife Rosemary (Van Leuven) Spear.
Bill was born in Milford on September 21, 1930 and was the son of late William A. and Carrie May (Scammon) Spear. He leaves his children Darlene (Spear) Rose and her husband David of Upton, William A. Spear, III of Burrillville, RI, David K. Spear of Le Roy, NY, Bruce A. Spear and his wife Fatima of Milford, Sandy L. (Frink) Lalime and her husband Harold of Houston, TX, Wally Frink and his wife Joann of Bellingham and Ginny E. (Frink) King and her husband David of Bellingham.
He also leaves his siblings, Charles Spear and his wife Muriel of Bellingham, David Spear and his wife Eileen of Bellingham, Eleanor (Spear) Cinnamond-Guy of Maryland, and Marjorie (Spear) Owens of Oxford, ME, 20 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two daughters, Karen L. (Frink) Driscoll and Rosemary L (Frink) Whitfield, a brother Edward L. Spear and his grandson David J. Rose, Jr.
Bill lived his entire life in the Caryville section of Bellingham. After graduating high school in 1949, he served 4 years in the Air Force. Upon his return home he ran an oil delivery business then went on to work for the Bellingham DPW for over 30 years. Upon his retirement, he and his wife traveled throughout New England buying and selling raw furs and hunting and trapping supplies, as well as operating a nuisance animal control business for many years. He was a former volunteer fireman; a town elected constable and served on the cemetery committee for many years.
Bill was known for his tireless work ethic and passion for turning a dollar and as an avid recycler. Those many pursuits included junk collecting, bottle picking, buying and selling land, and many others. He was an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman. He also enjoyed attending family events and building puzzles. Bill was a life time member of the Charles River Masonic Lodge and the Medway Odd Fellows. He was called Bill, Bull, Dad, Grandpa or Old Man by those that knew him. He will always be sadly missed and remembered by those that came to know him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service on Saturday, April 30 at 10 a.m. in the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St. in Medway (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com). Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellingham.
Calling hours will be held on Friday from 5 - 8 p.m.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers to please donate in Bill’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.