William G. Conway

William G. Conway "Everyone’s Favorite"

Walk with our Dad into any location around town, and someone would exclaim, “Oh! Hi Bill!” with a smile, hug or handshake. He was the kind, bright spark of family, friends and acquaintances alike. Everyone knew him.

Despite living in Massachusetts for most of his 100+ years, he always identified with his home state of Pennsylvania. Born in Philadelphia December 17, 1925, nothing in MA quite lived up to his memories of Philly – especially the food, the weekly dances, the museums and the “Shore”! What is life without amazing diners and bakeries? And nothing would ever, ever live up to his mother Rose’s meals, except those prepared by his beloved sister Agnes Rose (McArdle).

Those who knew Bill and Agnes marveled at their selflessness and generous spirits. Born during the Great Depression, they lived with their father William Joseph Conway – reportedly a great dancer and joyful piano player – until his untimely death in October 1931. The siblings were then painfully separated and placed in various orphanages, until reuniting with their mother when he was 15.

At 17, he joined the Merchant Marines, followed by several years in the U.S. Navy. The Navy first sent him to Boston to study naval accounting, after which he was assigned to the U.S.S. Alaska, serving primarily in the Pacific theater. Honorably discharged in 1946, he then studied Finance at the Wharton School, financed in part by the GI bill.

In 1952, Bill married his beloved wife Lillian while both were working for General Motors in Philadelphia. Transferred to NYC and later, Boston, his children Rosemary Elizabeth and William John Conway were brought up in Westwood, MA. He was an especially devoted husband and father, working extraordinary hours to support his family.

Beginning in 1997, Bill showed us all what true devotion means as he became primary caretaker to Lillian after her massive stroke, which confined her to a wheelchair until her passing in February, 2022. They had been married for 70 years.

Bill and “Lil” loved their children’s spouses, Trish (Jakubowski) Conway and Bill Goodwin. They were beyond overjoyed to welcome their grandchildren Madeline Rose, Caroline Elizabeth and William G. Conway, II, upon whom they endlessly doted.

Bill had a talent not only for empathy and family love, but for artistic endeavors, as well. In earlier days, he loved being with friends in jazz clubs, taking dates to see Frank Sinatra and other greats during their early careers. He loved the music of Carly Simon. He sung old Irish songs and musical rounds with his little daughter while driving on Saturday mornings.

He started painting in earnest, cigar at the ready, when Lil became entirely dependent on him and her children. Over time, he amassed a large collection of canvasses. Many of these he gifted to family members, some he painted upon request, and quite a few were recently included in an art exhibit at the Willows in Medway, where he most recently resided.

We will miss his steadiness, his ready smile, and loving, supportive presence forever. We will miss his storytelling about the Navy, his long-gone sorely missed friends Franny, Ed, Jimmy, and Patty, among others; extended family Nana, Madge, and Tod; his quick wit and generous spirit, and the guidance he showed us how to live kind and responsible lives.

Bill always struggled mightily with dreams about trying to find his way back home.

As of July 6, he is home. Thank God. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Boys Town or your local orphanage or humane society.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Visitation in the Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home, 55 High Rock St., Westwood on Monday July 13th from 9am -10:30am. Following the Visitation, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am in St. Margaret Mary Church, 845 High St., Westwood. Interment with U. S. Navy Military Honors will take place at New Westwood Cemetery.