William F. Whelan

Waltham – Mr. William F. Whelan, of Waltham, died Sunday, February 7, 2010 at his home. He was 90. Bill was born on April 26, 1919 in Boston, a son of the late John J. and Mary (Roche) Whelan, both natives of Ireland. He was raised and lived in Allston before joining the United States Army on December 5, 1941. Two days later, on Sunday the 7th, the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Bill married his sweetheart, Muriel H. (Gove) Whelan. Bill and Muriel settled in Waltham after the war in 1946 where they raised their family. They had been married for forty-nine years until Muriel's death on September 27, 1990. During the war Bill served as a technical sergeant with the 38th Infantry Division and saw action in the southern Philippines, Luzon and in China. In addition to theatre ribbons Bill was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars. After the war he attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst earning an associate's degree. He worked in the food business for 18 years and after that returned to school at Boston University where he received his Chartered Life Underwriter designation. He then went to work as an agent for Prudential Insurance Company in Boston, a position he held until his retirement. Bill was a member of the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post No. 156 in Waltham. He leaves his children, Mary E. Wilson of Waltham, William J. Whelan of Manchester, New Hampshire, John J. Whelan of Waltham and Thomas M. Whelan of Westford; his grandchildren, Susan Wilson, Cynthia Napier, Shawn Whelan, Jenna Whelan and Michael Whelan; his great-grandchildren, Shawn Whelan, Manny and Nicholas Malave and many nieces and nephews. He was also a brother of the late John J. Whelan and Mary Volpe. Family and friends will honor and remember Bill's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne at 1 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 9 Erie Drive, Natick, MA 01760.