Obituary for William J. MacDonald (Bill)
William J. “Bill” MacDonald, age 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Lowell General Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Lillian H. (Johnston) with whom he shared 39 years of marriage.
Bill was born in Boston, MA on Sept. 30, 1925 and was a son of the late William J. and Anna (Deady) MacDonald.
Bill was raised in Quincy, MA. He was drafted out of high school to serve in the US Army, Signal Corps, during WWII. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy. During his career, he worked as an engineer at US Steel in Detroit, Acton Labs, Raytheon, and Mallory Xerox. He then founded his own company, Film Microelectronics (FMI) in Burlington, MA.
An avid reader, Bill was deeply interested in science, religion, and space; he wrote extensively in those subjects. He was also an enthusiastic golfer and learned to ski in his 50’s. In retirement, he drove the airport limo for C&L Air Limo and enjoyed conversing with his clients. His favorite memories included traveling with his wife, Lillian, and spending long weekends at Loon Mountain with his family. Bill had a great sense of humor and enjoyed engaging conversations with family and friends.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Lillian, his daughters Karen MacDonald and husband Donald Anderson; Joanne (MacDonald) McGovern and husband Roger; Janine (MacDonald) McBride and husband William; sons William MacDonald, and Mark McDonald and wife Anna; ex-wife (mother of his children) Barbara (Leavens) Hanna; as well as stepchildren Susan Kokkinos and husband Angelos; Dorothy Mastandrea and husband Andrew; and William Hebenstreit. He is also survived by his brother, Richard MacDonald, and his grandchildren Michael MacDonald, Jennifer MacDonald, Katie McGovern, John McGovern, Lauren Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Alycia Rivera, Elise McBride, Emily McBride, and eight great-grandchildren Kaylie, Andrew, Caleb, Aiden, Michael, Jaylin, Kianah, Ethan, as well as several nieces and nephews, 11 step grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brothers Allen MacDonald and Edward MacDonald, as well as grandson William MacDonald.
A private family visitation was held at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary Parish, Chelmsford. Burial was in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford.
Bill was born in Boston, MA on Sept. 30, 1925 and was a son of the late William J. and Anna (Deady) MacDonald.
Bill was raised in Quincy, MA. He was drafted out of high school to serve in the US Army, Signal Corps, during WWII. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy. During his career, he worked as an engineer at US Steel in Detroit, Acton Labs, Raytheon, and Mallory Xerox. He then founded his own company, Film Microelectronics (FMI) in Burlington, MA.
An avid reader, Bill was deeply interested in science, religion, and space; he wrote extensively in those subjects. He was also an enthusiastic golfer and learned to ski in his 50’s. In retirement, he drove the airport limo for C&L Air Limo and enjoyed conversing with his clients. His favorite memories included traveling with his wife, Lillian, and spending long weekends at Loon Mountain with his family. Bill had a great sense of humor and enjoyed engaging conversations with family and friends.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Lillian, his daughters Karen MacDonald and husband Donald Anderson; Joanne (MacDonald) McGovern and husband Roger; Janine (MacDonald) McBride and husband William; sons William MacDonald, and Mark McDonald and wife Anna; ex-wife (mother of his children) Barbara (Leavens) Hanna; as well as stepchildren Susan Kokkinos and husband Angelos; Dorothy Mastandrea and husband Andrew; and William Hebenstreit. He is also survived by his brother, Richard MacDonald, and his grandchildren Michael MacDonald, Jennifer MacDonald, Katie McGovern, John McGovern, Lauren Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Alycia Rivera, Elise McBride, Emily McBride, and eight great-grandchildren Kaylie, Andrew, Caleb, Aiden, Michael, Jaylin, Kianah, Ethan, as well as several nieces and nephews, 11 step grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brothers Allen MacDonald and Edward MacDonald, as well as grandson William MacDonald.
A private family visitation was held at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary Parish, Chelmsford. Burial was in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford.