Thomas Williams

WAYLAND, MASS. — Thomas “Tom” Williams, 92, died peacefully and comfortably surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, following a brief illness.

He was born in Waltham, Mass., on July 11, 1924, the son of the late Arthur W. Williams and Stella (Skrine) Williams.

Tom was the beloved husband for 55 years of the late Shirley A. (Cunningham) Williams who died on July 24, 2006. He was the loving father of Linda J. Pinault of Framingham, Mass. Laurie A. Griffin and her husband John Griffin of Northborough, Mass., and Lisa G. Whittemore and her husband Kevin Whittemore of Wayland, Mass. He is survived by his grandchildren, Scott T. Pinault of Ashland, Mass., Andrea M. Lacroix and her husband Kyle “Topo” Lacroix of Lyme, N.H., Stephanie Pinault of Maine, Trevor W. Nelson of Harvard, Mass., Jennifer N. Harris and her husband Nate Harris of Charlestown, Mass., Hayley M. Griffin of Great Barrington, Mass., Brian A. Whittemore and his wife Ava Whittemore of Watertown, Mass., and Kayla M. Whittemore of Marlboro, N.J. He was the cherished great-grandfather of Logan Whittemore. Tom is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was the brother of the late Alfred Williams, Vyvyian Murray, Irene McBride, and Jack Williams.

As a young boy Tom was a proud member of Marian Roby Case’s Hillcrest Boys in Weston, Mass., and he graduated from Weston High School with the Class of 1941. Upon graduation, Tom entered the United States Army Air Corps and served proudly as a Sergeant during World War II in the Asiatic, Pacific and American Theaters. Tom has been a resident of Wayland, Mass., for over 66 years

He retired after 32 years of dedicated service as a supervisor with Boston Edison (now Eversource) at the Boston, Waltham, Framingham, and Maynard, Mass. facilities.

He was an active volunteer serving the American Red Cross Disaster Team, a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, spent countless hours as a volunteer with the Boston Marathon and was a Mason in Bridgton. He was a longtime member of the Weston, Mass. Fire Department as a call firefighter. Tom also taught many CPR classes for the employees at the T.J. MAXX corporate headquarters in Framingham, Mass. He was an active and longtime member of Trinitarian Congregational Church and served as a deacon. He and his longtime friend, Clarence Gray, were co-owners of Tree Work, a local tree removal service.

Following retirement, Tom worked for twenty plus years at Ogilvie’s in Weston, Mass. People will fondly remember Tom as the unofficial “ambassador,” where he greeted everyone with a smile and encouraging word.

He particularly enjoyed spending his summers with family and friends at his camp on Crystal Lake in Harrison, where many memories were created. Most important to Tom was his family. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be remembered by everyone who had the pleasure of being touched by his life.

His family would like to extend their special gratitude to the Carriage House Assisted Living Community at Lee’s Farm in Wayland, Mass., and to the medical staff at the Lahey Clinic (Burlington, Mass.) who cared for Tom in his final days.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m., at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (off Rte. 30), Wayland, Mass.

His funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 27 at 10:30 a.m., at the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 53 Cochituate Road (Rte. 27), Wayland, Mass. Interment will follow in the Williams family lot at Linwood Cemetery in Weston, Mass. For condolences and directions visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, his family kindly suggests that memorial gifts in Tom’s memory may be sent to the Wayland Firefighter Association, PO Box 341, Wayland, MA 01778, or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.