WESTFIELD -William Towne, 75, of 73 South Maple St. died Wednesday, March 28, at the Westfield Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Feeding Hills Road after a long illness.He was born in Providence, R.I., a son of Edward L. and Mary E. (Dunn) Towne and had lived in Westfield for 36 years. He grew up in Athol, was a graduate of Athol High School and also previously lived in Erving and Worcester. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War, and was employed by Strathmore Paper for 25 years in Westfield. Prior to that he worked at Brattleboro Book Press, Brattleboro, VT., at the former Millers Falls Paper Co. in Miller Falls, and in the printing department of the Paul Revere Insurance Co. in Worcester. Bill was also an EMT with the Erving Fire Department for many years. Earlier in his life he worked as a pressman at the Athol Daily News, where his mother worked as a reporter. He was a talented do-it-yourselfer, and once converted an abandoned house in Erving into a residence for his family as well as renovating his Westfield home. A dedicated and kind supporter of his family, he gave gladly of his time and talents not only to his family but also to other relatives and friends. He enjoyed traveling and was known for his love of beaches. He leaves his wife of 20 years, Joan; three children, Christopher Towne, of North Chester, Jennifer Bull of Westfield and Carrie DeFilippi of Chicopee; two brothers, Edward R. Towne of Milford, N.H. and Jon A. Towne of Mashpee; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Bull, Lyla and Justin Towne, Cody and Zachary DeFilippi; three stepchildren, Cara Cuttell, Keith Cuttell and Julie Cuttelland a granddaughter, Olivia Vincent.Small Service and burial will be held at The Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam at 2pm on Thursday, April 5th. A small gathering with light refreshments will be held directly after at the VFW, Russell. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Soldiers’ Home of Holyoke.
