William W. Arbuckle, a retired bank executive died on Friday, August 24th at his home in Nottingham, NH. He was 85 years old. Mr. Arbuckle had been a Needham resident for many years, before retiring to Nottingham several years ago. Born in Ardrossan, Scotland, Bill was the son of the late James R. and Mary W. (Allardyce) Arbuckle. Mr. Arbuckle was a graduate of of the Royal Air Force Code & Cypher School at Magdalen College in Oxford, England. Bill was a cryptographer for the US Air Force during World War II. A member of the 51st Troop Carrier Wing of the 12th Air Force, he was the liason to the British infantry units in North Africa, Italy, Sicily and Greece. Bill was the recipient of 6 Battle Stars and also received a written commendation for participating with the British Airbourne Forces in an operation which culminated in the invasion of Greece.
Mr. Arbuckle was the former treasurer of the Hyde Park Savings Bank and the former President of Belmont Savings Bank. He was an instructor for the American Institute of Banking on mortgage and appraisals, and in conjunction with this lectured in motivational psychology at Brown University.
Active with the Boys Scouts, Mr. Arbuckle was the founder and former Scout Master of Troop 13 of Needham. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many an evening sitting around the campfire playing the guitar. He was particularly fond of fishing and bird watching. Bill was a Civil War enthusiast. He enjoyed writing poetry for family and friends in celebration of birthdays, holidays, or special events. Bill will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was the beloved husband of the late Lillian (Mamishian) Arbuckle and the devoted father of Beverley J. Arbuckle of Needham and David H. Arbuckle of Nottingham NH. He was the loving grandfather of Mary E. Galia of Needham, Heather M. Arbuckle and Robert A. Sheer of Nottingham NH and the great grandfather of Lillian Jean Sheer. A Funeral Service will be held in the Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Highland Ave Needham on Wed. August 29 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting will be held in the Gorse Chapel at the Carter Church from 10 – 11 prior to the service. Private interment will be held a Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Bill’s name may be made to Exeter Hospital, 5 Alumni Drive, Exeter NH 03833 or to the Carter Memorial United Methodist Church 800 Highland Ave Needham MA 02494. Arrangements by the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Avenue Needham