WEBSTER – William H. “Bill” Radcliffe, Jr., 79, died Monday, January 27, 2025 in Hartford Hospital with family at his side. His wife of,40 years, Carole A. (Rousseau) Radcliffe, died in 2005.
He leaves a daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Panek and her husband Adam of Webster; 2 sons, William H. Radcliffe III and his wife Tammy of Southbridge, , and Matthew P. Radcliffe and his wife Jill of North Grosvenordale, CT; 7 grandchildren, Gregory Choquette , Tonya Jermain, Amanda Menard, James Radcliffe, Sarah Menard, Liam Radcliffe and Owen Radcliffe; 11 great-grandchildren 2 brothers, Thomas Radcliffe of Webster, MA and Garrett Radcliffe of Georgia; nephews and nieces.
He was born on February 19, 1945 in Webster, a son of William H. Radcliffe, Sr. and Mary E. (Ziemski) Radcliffe, and lived in Webster most of his life. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1963.
Mr. Radcliffe was an auxiliary policeman in Webster for 20 years, retiring as its captain. He then worked in the maintenance department at area nursing homes before being employed at Gentex Optics in Dudley for 17 years, retiring in 2003.
Bill loved everything to do with trains and was a founding member and president of the Providence & Worcester Railfan Club Museum in Webster. He maintained an enviable collection of models trains. As a native American, he enjoyed attending pow-wows. He was a fan of the Washington Redskins.
His funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 5, from the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Church, 18 Main Street, North Grosvenordale, CT. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday, February 4, in the funeral home. Donations in his memory may be made to the Providence & Worcester Railfan Club Museum, 3 Davis Street, Webster, MA 01570.