William E Marchant Jr. (WA1VAV)

William E. Marchant Jr. (91) a lifelong resident of Newton Centre, Mass. passed peacefully at his home on February 9th and joins his loving wife of 46 years, Janet (DeArmas) Marchant. Bill was the loving father of Madelena G. Marchant of Newton William E. Marchant, III and his wife, Lyn, of Billerica, Clark F. Edrehi of New York City, Charles J. Edrehi and his wife, Pamela, of Framingham. He was the devoted brother (Bub), to Grace Marchant Yaglou of Barre and loving “Papa” to Jena-renee Edrehi, Christina L. Edrehi, Sophia G. Marchant, Katya L. Marchant, Erica Antonellis & Louis Antonellis, Jr.; and cherished uncle to Susan (Yaglou) Waddell, Peter Yaglou, William Yaglou & Geoffrey Yaglou, and many grandnieces and nephews, and dearest friend and companion to Rose Plati, and is also survived by his extended family on the West coast and many dear friends.

Bill was a decorated Army veteran who served in the 82nd Airborne in the Pacific Theater in the end of WWII.  As a very young man, Bill enlisted and served as a paratrooper until he was severely injured in a low altitude jump and recovered at Walter Reed hospital before being honorably discharged.  He returned to Newton where he worked as a heavy equipment operator and later took to the road as a bus driver for Greyhound Company until his retirement in 1987.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman and took the time to explore his country with his family.  He often took his children and grandchildren on road trips camping, fishing, hunting and boating.  He loved to take his boat down the Charles River to enjoy the July 4th celebrations.  He once drove to Alaska to explore parts of the wilderness that most people will never see, and drove to Mexico to camp on the beach with extended family. 

Bill was an avid HAM radio operator and spoke to many people all around the world regularly.  He was a member of the Sangerfest Mens Chorus and other smaller quartet groups over the years that performed periodically locally and abroad. 

Bill was a gifted story teller and brought laughter to any gathering.  His interests were extensive and his stories legendary. (Who else would fly a plane under the Tobin Bridge?) He entertained family and friends with stories of his own past escapades and those he encountered as a bus driver.  

Visiting hours at Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home 465 Centre Street Newton Corner on Thursday, Feb.13th 4-7PM. Funeral Mass Friday, Feb. 14th at 10:30AM at Sacred Heart Parish 1317 Centre Street Newton Centre followed by burial at Saint Mary’s Cemetery Needham.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of William E Marchant Jr to the DAV, 24 Beacon St, Suite 546, State House, Boston, MA 02133 or DAV.org/donate would be greatly appreciated.

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