Cover photo for William Furness's Obituary
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1942 William 2021

William Furness

September 27, 1942 — April 19, 2021

William B. Furness Jr. (“Bill”) 78 of 86 Central Street, Hingham died peacefully at home with his wife Diane at his side.


Bill was born on September 27, 1942 in Everett MA to William B. Furness Sr. of Everett and Edith (Jones) Furness of Dorchester. He was the only son with four sisters and was fortunate to spend his entire life being loved and adored by them all. He grew up mostly in Everett but the family also spent time in Dorchester and Marshfield.


Bill married the first time at a very young age to his late wife Donna (Barthelmess) and together they raised their three children; William III, Robert and Michelle in Abington, MA.
In 1993 Bill got lucky again when he met Diane (LaFond) Furness the second “love of his life” and they spent the next 27 years enjoying life together. Their “blended” family included 7 children and 5 grandchildren which grew over the next 27 years to a total of 22 grandchildren and spouses so they needed a very large place to gather the over 40 combined total of them! Needless to say there were lots of birthday, holiday and various other gatherings which kept them very busy and grateful.


Most of Bill’s career was spent working in the transportation and trucking industry in sales and management. Later in life he also worked in Real Estate with Diane and enjoyed working together and traveling to far away places.


After retiring Bill occupied his time moving from Quincy to Florida back to MA in Mashpee then finally to back to Hingham where they lived when they first married. They both decided moving wasn’t their life’s dream and were happy to stop. Retirement provided time for one of Bill’s obsessions as an avid reader and the advent of the internet and purchase of a home computer provided Bill a new career as somewhat of an expert on historical, political and current events. Many friends and relatives loved to chat with him and valued his amazing knowledge of world events. Bill never thought of himself as exceptional but those who knew him would beg to differ.


One of the most exceptional things about Bill was his ability to make others so comfortable with his gentle way and always remembering to ask them about themselves. He rarely talked about himself and always remembered to ask others about things going on in their lives. The Hospice chaplain who came to visit him during his final days called it a “gift” and indeed it was.


Bill will be remembered as a gentleman and was kind and humble to all who had the privilege to know him. His wife Diane always said he was the best person she ever knew and referred to him as “her knight in shining armor.” He will be missed and forever cherished in memories by all. He was preceded in death by his son Robert H. Furness and grandson Theodore Pratt as well as too many relatives and friends. He is remembered with love by his wife Diane, son William Furness his daughter-in-law Lisa, daughter Michelle (Furness) Pratt and her husband Tim, and daughter-in-law Christine (Furness) Ohlson, as well as sisters Barbara Doll, husband Delton, Marion Resendes, Nancy Thomas, husband Howard and sister Linda husband John. Also stepchildren Paris, Andre, Brandon and Blake and of course the 22 grandchildren who each know how much their Grampy loved them.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and burial will be private.

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