Of Waltham, passed away peacefully early Monday morning February 25th, 2013 at Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Waltham at the age of 74.
Born on April 7, 1938 in Boston; beloved son of the late Peter J. Walsh and Mary T. (Mullen) Walsh, Bill was raised in the Brighton section of Boston before moving to Waltham 50 years ago.
He proudly served with the United States Army from 1961 to 1966.
A graduate of Mass Bay Community College with an Associate in Science Degree in Law Enforcement, he furthered his education with the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council Crime Prevention Officers Course.
Bill was appointed to the Waltham Police Department as a Patrolman in 1960. He served in many capacities throughout his career with the Police Department. From 1982-1988 he was assigned to the Prosecutor’s Division and a member of the Waltham Police Academy Staff. He was a Stress Officer from 1985-1990 and Public / Community Relations from 1982 to 1990.
In 1982 he organized and served as Executive Director of the Waltham Police Law Enforcement Exposition, a nationally recognized public relations and educational exposition. While serving in the Crime Prevention Unit, Bill initiated a series of new activities and programs to reduce crime on all levels including a new neighborhood focus program, business programs with new security procedures for bank alarm responses, a seminar for retailers on armed robbery, a program for forgery and developed educational programs on drugs, rape prevention, and missing children.
His professional affiliations included being a member of the Waltham Police Patrolman’s Union MCOP Local #161, Massachusetts Police Association, Director of the Waltham Auxiliary Police, Past President of the Massachusetts Crime Prevention Officers Association, and Governor Dukakis Anti-Crime Council.
After his retirement in 1990 from the Police Department, Bill joined the Brasco Family and Staff at Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapels in Waltham & Belmont as a Funeral Home Professional Assistant providing care and comfort to families throughout the greater Boston area for over 20 years.
Bill was devoted to his community, a community that had embraced him as one of their own. Although born in Boston, Bill’s heart belonged to Waltham. He in every sense of the word was selfless in giving back to the city he loved throughout the 50 years he resided in Waltham. His public service was not only to his country in the Army, not to his city as a Police Officer but to his fellow man with his ability to give of himself in making Waltham the very best place to live.
Bill’s devotion to community led him to be the Parade Director for Historic Waltham in 1998 and Coordinator of Historic Waltham Days in 1999-2000. As a Board Member of the Waltham Arts Council he coordinated Concerts on the Common throughout the summer.
His civic involvement was second to none, he was Past Exalted Ruler of the Waltham Lodge of Elks #953 B.P.O.E, Past Commander of the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post #156 in Waltham, Past President of the Waltham/Watertown AARP Chapter #3809, Past President of the Waltham Kiwanis Club and 5 term Lt. Governor of the New England District of Kiwanis from 1993 – 1998, the Waltham Cystic Fibrosis Committee, and member of the Waltham Council on Aging Board & Waltham Arts Council.
He served as Master of Ceremonies on a regular basis for numerous Senior Citizen Dinners, the Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser, the Police Association Dinner, Police Department retirement parties, and a guest speaker for the Kiwanis & Rotary Clubs.
He was recognized for his many achievements with numerous citations and awards throughout his life. He was the recipient of the McNamara Community Service Award in 1999, the Salvation Army Community Service Award in 1993, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2152 Citizen of the Year in 1988-89, the Marine Corps. League of Watertown “Police Officer of the Year” in 1987 and the American Legion Department of Mass Certificate of Commendation for Police Officer of the Year in 1987.
Believe it or not in his spare time if there was any Bill was an incredible piano player and former band leader. He enjoyed bowling in different leagues and had several tournament victories.
Bill has left an endearing mark on his beloved City of Waltham. His legacy of giving back through public and community service will live on for generations to come through the foundation established in his name. More importantly his memory will live on through the hearts and minds of those he demonstrated to what community service is all about, and all who had the privilege and honor to call Bill Walsh a Friend.
The only thing Bill loved more than the City of Waltham was his family. They were the most important aspect of his life and he cherished spending time with his daughter and grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving & devoted daughter Cheryl Ann Feeley of Waltham, his cherished grandchildren Heather, Christopher, and Matthew Feeley, his dear brother Michael Walsh and his wife Carole, his sisters-in-law Marie A. Walsh of Nevada and Kay Walsh of Florida, his former wife Arlene H. (Paynter) Walsh, and his closest treasured friend Kathy Jackson of Harwich. In addition he is survived by many nieces & nephews.
Brother of the late Bernard R. Walsh and Peter J. Walsh.
Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral Services from the Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapels, 773 Moody Street, WALTHAM on Friday March 1st at 9:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Bill’s Life at Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham at 10:00 a.m. Interment with Military & Police Honors will follow at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham. Visiting Hours will be held in the Funeral Home on Thursday Feb. 28th from 4 – 8 p.m. Parking attendants will be on duty.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Bill Walsh Scholarship Fund, c/o Waltham Arts Council, 119 School St., Waltham, MA 02453.
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