Published in the April 16, 2019 edition
NORTH READING — William H. Howard, Jr., 88, passed away on Monday evening, April 8, 2019. He was a loving husband and father of five children.
Bill was born on September 7, 1930 in Peabody to William H., Sr. and Dorothy May (Waring) Howard. He entered the U.S. Marine Corp at the age of 21 and he served overseas during the Korean War. On July 11, 1953, he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann. They raised two sons, Scot and David, and three daughters, Cynthia, Lynne and Laura. He was a godly father and was committed to leading his family to Christ just as he was led by his mother and grandmother. He will be fondly remembered for his love for singing all the old hymns. Some of his favorites were “Amazing Grace,” “Old Rugged Cross,” “I Come to the Garden Alone,” and “Victory in Jesus.”
Bill was a graduate of Lowell Technological Institute and the Massachusetts State Police Academy. He served from 1959-1970 as an auxiliary patrolman in North Reading. He then served on the Topsfield force for three years before accepting the position of Sergeant in Boxford where he served from 1973 – 1980, until he started his own landscaping business. He was known for his quiet and gentle spirit, his love for his God and family, and his kind and compassionate heart. His greatest desire is to see all his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and find the true joy in giving God your life. 3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
Besides his passion for his Savior, Bill also had a love for golf and got to spend many days pursuing his passion by playing as well as working a few days a week at the local golf clubs during his retirement.
Bill was preceded in death by his precious wife, Shirley Ann Howard and his two sons, William Scot and David Earnest. He is survived by his three daughters, Cynthia Eramo (Vincent) from North Reading, Lynne Valentine (Rick) from Greene, Maine and Laura LeFort (Todd) from Fredericksburg, Va.; his two sisters, Betty Carpenter of Wakefield, and Carol McLaughlin (Tom) from Port Charlotte, Fla.. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, W. Scot Howard (Heather), Stephen Williams (Lora), Melissa Howard-Beutler (Jason), Luke D. Howard, Niki Valentine-Stevens (TJ), Adam C. and Tyler V. Eramo, Katelyn, Grant, Luc, Lindsey and Jace LeFort; seven great-grandchildren, Noah, Jude and Seth Howard, Malachi and Maddox Richtmyre, Victoria Williams and Madison Valentine, as well as nephews and nieces.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 13 at the First Church Congregational Boxford, 4 Georgetown Road, Boxford. Interment followed at Boxford Village Cemetery in Boxford. There were no calling hours. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com
