William “Billy” Anderson, 77, longtime Tewksbury resident, passed away peacefully on August 15th at the Bedford VA Hospital surrounded by his family.
Billy was born in Somerville on April 29, 1946 to Henrietta and Thomas Anderson. He was raised and educated in the Somerville area.
Billy was a proud army veteran who served in various field artillery units from 1967 to 1971. Billy served his country with the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He was also stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge and return home, Billy met the love of his life, Cheryl Quinn, at a pizza shop in Somerville and the two wed on August 1st, 1981.
Billy and Cheryl started their family in Somerville and later moved to Tewksbury to raise their two children. He loved his family fiercely and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and granddogs. Some of his favorite times included attending his grandchildrens’ sports games, fishing, golfing, and tending to his garden. He also always looked forward to his annual Lincoln, NH summer vacation at the Profile Motel and making his famous meatballs for his annual family Christmas party.
Billy was a career chameleon and held jobs in various industries including construction, food, and retail. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and briefly opened a pizza restaurant as well as a partner in a vinyl siding business. Upon retiring, he enjoyed wintering in Florida and he never missed a chance to watch his beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. Billy also was a loyal member of the VFW post 8164 in Tewksbury.
Billy is survived by his wife Cheryl, son Shawn Anderson and wife Katie of Tewksbury and their children Beckett, Addisyn and Walker, daughter Lesley Mercer-Medeiros and husband Andrew of Nashua, NH and brothers & sisters Joseph D’Arrigo, Dennis Roche, David Anderson, Cathy Munroe and Steve, Nancy Castelli, George Anderson and Sharren, Kenneth Twohig and Sheila, Helen ("Dolly") Kotzuba, and Joyce Ahearn and Patrick as well many nieces, nephews, godchildren, and dear friends.
Billy was predeceased by his sisters and brothers Marilyn D’Arrigo, Elizabeth Roche, Judy Anderson, Michael Castelli, and William Kotzuba.
All are welcome to attend his visitation on Wednesday August 23 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876. You are also invited to attend his funeral service the following day, Thursday, August 24 at 11 a.m. at the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, 2335 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Fisher House, an organization that helped Billy's family during his stay at the West Roxbury VA. Please use our website or find us on Facebook to send the family your condolences.