Wilson “Bill” H. Seward, 97, of Hanson, died peacefully at home on February 24, 2022.
Bill was born in Toronto, Ontario on December 8, 1924 to Simeon and Dorothy (Tulk) Seward. He was raised in Wilson, NY and enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 when he was 18 years old to support the US efforts in World War II. He earned his high school diploma and US citizenship while in the Navy. Bill served as a carpenter in the Naval Construction Force, better known as the Naval Seabees, for 30 years. He retired in 1974 at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. During World War II, Bill participated in military operations in the European and Pacific Theaters of Operations including the Invasion of Normandy and the Liberation of the Philippines Campaigns. Bill was also a Vietnam War veteran who was awarded a Bronze Star.
Bill married his wife of 10 years, Nina Brown, on May 7, 1949. They were the parents of Alan Seward and Roberta (Seward) Spencer. Nina passed away on June 7, 1959. Bill married his wife of 59 years, Caroline “Carol” Tucker, “the girl next door,” on November 25, 1960 and lived together in Hanson, MA until their passings.
After retiring from the Navy, Bill worked as a custodian for the Hanson School Department for 10 years.
Bill enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, volunteering for non-profit organizations, wintering in Florida, and traveling in the US, Canada, and Europe with Carol during their retirement years.
Bill was a Freemason for over 50 years and achieved the degree of Master Mason. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Hanson for over 50 years and a member of the First Congregational Church of Whitman UCC for 58 years.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Roberta Spencer of Hanson; his three grandchildren, Matthew Spencer of Hanson, Amy Griffin of Warwick, RI, and Elizabeth Spencer of Attleboro; his two great grandchildren, Logan Griffin and Declan Griffin; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nina Seward, his son, Alan Seward, his sister-in-law, Nancy McLaughlin, her husband, George McLaughlin, and his wife, Carol Seward.
A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Whitman UCC on 7/24/2022 at 2:00 PM followed by a Masonic service. A military burial will be held at Colebrook Cemetery in Whitman on 7/26/2022 at 10:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the First Congregational Church of Whitman UCC’s Fuel Fund, as he did not like being cold.