William James Kelleher

Mr. William J. Kelleher, 74, of Whitinsville MA and formerly of South Boston MA died Thursday (December 11, 2025) at the Brockton VA Hospital in Brockton MA after an illness. He was the husband of the late Mary Ellen (O’Donnell) Kelleher.

William was born in Cambridge MA, the son of the late Daniel J. Kelleher and the late Helen C. (Hanson) Kelleher. He grew up in Watertown MA and was a graduate of Watertown High School.

William was a proud veteran of the Viet Nam War having served in the US Air Force from 1969 to 1973, attaining the rank of SGT.

William was first employed as a merchandise manager first working as a young man for the Zayre Corporation in Cambridge MA. He later worked at South Boston Tire located in South Boston. More recently, he had been employed at the Star Market grocery Store in Belmont MA.

William had resided in Ireland, with his late wife Mary, for about 15 years, and more recently had resided in Whitinsville MA.

William loved to play “Bridge” and also play chess. He was an avid reader and also loved to take walks.

William is  survived by his 4 children: Susan Buckley and her husband Douglas Buckley of Milford MA, Barbara Kelleher of Milford MA, Marc Kelleher and his partner Scott Hallman of Portsmouth RI and Dianna Lyness and her husband Jeff Lyness Sr. of Northbridge MA; his 11  grandchildren: Kelsey Strickland of Northbridge MA, Kyle Strickland of Blackstone MA, Aubrey Buckley of Milford MA, Kayla Keene of Shrewsbury MA, Kara Keene of North Carolina, Krista Keene of North Carolina, April Keene of Hopedale MA, Cody Keene of Putnam CT, Isabella Horn of Milford MA, Kailey Alberts of Northbridge MA and Jeffrey Lyness Jr. of Northbridge MA; also his 5 great grandchildren: Sabrina Evans of Northbridge MA, Jacoby Evans of Northbridge MA, Colbi DeVoescovi of Shrewsbury MA, Noah Keene of Shrewsbury MA and Mailyn Jose of North Carolina.

William is also survived by his siblings: Carol Baxter and her domestic partner Sue Ellis of Toronto Canada, Mary Ingham of Danvers MA, Daniel Kelleher of Belmont MA, Dorothy Kelleher and her spouse Ken Radway of Toronto Canada, Linda Cummings and her husband Richard Cummings of Bristol NH and Rita Kerr and her husband Daniel Webster of Haverhill MA.Also many nieces & nephews.

William was the brother of the late Hellen Kelleher and the late Thomas Kelleher.

Relatives & friends are invited to attend his Committal Services, with Military Honors, on THURSDAY (December 18th) at 1:30PM at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue in Bourne MA. (DO NOT BE LATE – THE MILITARY WILL NOT WAIT).

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday evening (December 17th) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA.

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