William J. Eckland

Waltham - Mr. William J. Eckland of Waltham, died Wednesday, October 8, 2008 in Maristhill Nursing Home, Waltham. He was 83. Born in Salem, a son of the late William B. and Eileen (Ahern) Eckland, Bill was raised and educated in Worcester. During World War II he served with the United States Army Air Corps. Until his retirement in 1993, Bill worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative. A Waltham resident for the past fifty years where he was long active in local politics, Bill served as Ward 3 City Councillor from 1978 to 1991. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Ethel C. (Piette) Eckland; his children, James W. Eckland and his wife, Melva, of Lancaster and Donna Marie McCarthy and her husband, Thomas, of East Boston; his brothers, Edward Eckland of Yarmouth, Phillip Eckland of Arizona, and Robert Eckland of Millbury; his sister, Dorothy McNeil of Worcester, 6 grandchildren, 1 great- grandchild and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral at 8 a.m. Saturday from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham. Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.