It is with great sadness that the family of Mr. William G. (Bill, Billy) Walsh, announces his passing after a brief illness. He was the father of three beloved daughters: Joanne and Cheryl of Peabody, and Cindy (and husband Thomas) Drozewski of Methuen. He was the husband of the late Joanne (Jacques) of Salem, with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage.

Born in 1932, Bill was a graduate of Peabody High, Class of 49. He was born to the late George and Winifred (Feeney) Walsh. A lifelong Peabody resident, he had the unusual distinction of having lived in 3 houses on the same street. Bill took pride in the fact that he had worked since he was 5 (during the Depression) and never stopped.

Sadly, his father passed away when Bill was in high school, and as the oldest child still at home, helped take care of his mother and younger siblings. Trained in auto mechanics, he always had weekend work, including Kernwood Marina, Wilson Square garage, plow repair and go-karts. He was very proud of being a Peabody resident, and as a young man, he can be seen in historic Peabody photos assisting building the annual barrel bonfire. He somehow found time to be in the Navy Reserves, completing his training in Chicago, with weekend service in Boston and New York.

Bill loved working so much he didn’t retire until he was 70, with a record-holding almost 55 years as a Teamster – with no accidents! He was in Locals 25 and 42, where he was a longtime shop steward. When the leather industry declined, he drove a downtown Boston route for many years. Bill worked for Monroe & Arnold’s (M&A’s), Remis, Lippers, Interstate, and Beacon Fast Freight for many years, finishing at ABF, where he was proud to have been 1 of 2 dependable drivers selected to open a new terminal. Bill enjoyed driving but also enjoyed the people he met -- and he knew everyone.

Bill has been a member of St. Michael’s Society (St. Mike’s Club) in Peabody forever. In the 80’s and 90’s He was a member of the Peabody Elks (BPOE 1409). Bill was known as a kind man, and was extremely generous with his time. He helped anyone who asked with anything.

Bill is recognized by parishioners of St. Thomas Church, where he was not only a communicant but was also an usher and collector for 60 years at the Saturday 4p mass.

After “retirement” he also worked there full-time in facilities and part-time as a volunteer right up until the Covid quarantine. He also worked as a deliveryman for Danversport Bakery for several years, and part-time delivering for Curran’s Flowers. He enjoyed having coffee daily with friends at the former bakery, then for years at McDonald’s on Endicott St. (followed by his daily trip to Market Basket). He rarely missed a Teamsters Breakfast.

Bill’s daughters were thrilled to be able to enjoy many long weekend trips with him after his retirement. This was the first time Bill could enjoy the view as a passenger instead of just through a windshield, and much to his girls’ delight, he developed a new favorite phrase: “Wow! Look at that!” Together they visited places Bill had delivered to years earlier and he was able to retell stories of times he remembered with incredible detail and great fondness.

In addition to his daughters, Bill leaves many treasured nieces and nephews, and countless friends and acquaintances. He was predeceased by all of his siblings and their spouses: Virginia (and husband William) Trask of Danvers, George (and wife Rose) of Beverly, Shirley (and husband Donald) Hatcher of Ipswich, Thomas (and wife Phyllis) of Peabody, Donald of Atkinson, NH, and sister-in-law Rita Deharo Cole of Beverly. He is survived by sisters-in-law Shirley Jacques of South Hamilton, Rose Romanovitz of Peabody, and Cecile Ward of Haverhill, and former sister-in-law Karen of Londonderry, NH.

Bill’s family would like to thank the staff at Winchester Hospital for their kindness and compassion. It is with irony that his family held a private service for him, as he must have attended thousands of wakes and funerals in his time for relatives, friends and neighbors, and parishioners. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or St. Thomas/St. John’s Church in Peabody.