FAIRHAVEN — William (Bill) Reynolds Markey, 87, of Fairhaven, MA passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 23, 2017. He was the husband of Norma L. (Eddy) Markey with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.
He was the son of the late Raymond D. and Ruth (Reynolds) Markey and lived most of his life in Fairhaven, MA. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in Fairhaven. Bill graduated from New Bedford High School and was an Army veteran serving during the Korean War. He was a graduate of UMass Dartmouth with a Bachelor's degree in textile chemistry and Bridgewater State with a Master's degree in education. Bill was a 33-year veteran of the New Bedford School Department having served as principal of Keith Junior High for 17 years before his retirement in 1992. Prior to that, he taught chemistry at NBHS for 16 years and was also assistant principal and then acting principal of the NBHS evening school.
Bill was active in the community as a Town Meeting member and he served on the Fairhaven Finance Committee, Conservation Committee and other town committees for many years. He was active in acquiring the Little Bay Area for conservation purposes. Along with his wife, he was active in the UMass Alumni Association, serving on many committees.
He is survived by four children, W. Bradford Markey (Jacqueline) of New Bedford, Raymond Markey (Michelle) of Douglas, David Markey (Karen) of Fairhaven and Meredith Simas (Steven) of Lakeville; twelve grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Paul Markey (Louise), Gayle Markey, Lucretia Murphy (Philip), Elaine Desmond (Gary), brother-in-law Thomas Strout and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his sister Margaret Strout.
Visitation will take place on Sunday, March 26, 4 - 7 PM at Wilson Funeral Chapel, 479 County Street, New Bedford. Funeral services to be held on Monday, March 27 at 10 AM at St. Joseph Church, Fairhaven, followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice Program at Community Nurse Homecare, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.