William Francis Magner, a resident of Peabody MA for over 60 years, passed peacefully on October 4, 2023. Bill was born in Somerville, MA on June 12, 1933, the son of David E. and Mary L. (Hennelly) Magner. He graduated Somerville High in 1950 before entering the Army. He was a veteran of the Korean war, serving at Fort Lewis in Washington before his honorable discharge in 1955. Bill married his first wife, Claire T. McCarthy in 1958 and they enjoyed 47 years together before she passed in 2005. During his early years of marriage, Bill obtained a bachelor degree in Engineering from Northeastern University and landed a successful job at GTE Sylvania, where he began a 32 year career as a Division Purchasing Manager before retiring in 1994. They were the loving parents of Diane Cole, Jeannie Meehan and her husband Pete, William Jr. and his wife Kyle, Stephen and his wife Julie, Joyce Jacques and her husband Brian, and Tom and his wife Kathy; grandfather to Douglas, Brittany, Danielle and Jeffrey Cole, Ben, Danny, Matthew, and Sarah Jacques and Lauryn, Katie, Andrew, Nick, Samantha and Jackie Magner; great grandfather to Clark and Grant Cole and Julian Sullivan.

Bill was fortunate to have found his second wife, Helen Dullea, several years later and they enjoyed 15 years together before she passed in March, 2023. He leaves her children Paul, Mary, and Patti, as well as their families. He also leaves his sister Kathleen Kelly and sister-in-law Lorraine Magner, and was predeceased by his son-in-law Donald Cole and brother James Magner. He leaves many nieces and nephews and numerous friends!

During his marriages, Bill traveled extensively, visiting places like Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Ireland, Italy, Panama Canal and loved vacationing in Florida during the winter months. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, playing cribbage, Klondike bars and Manhattans, but most importantly--family! The family values instilled by him and Claire left a lasting legacy and carried through the generations. Bill's motto was 'Family first' and it meant everything to him! He loved to see his children and grandchildren together and it made him so proud that they genuinely enjoyed each other's company and had such a strong bond. His inspiration, wit and presence will be greatly missed!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) or St. Jude's