William Wahlquist

William Wahlquist passed away at Cape Cod Hospital on August 8, 2023 after a lengthy struggle with prostate cancer and congestive heart failure. He was born on February 1, 1930 to Mally and Fritz Wahlquist in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up on Staten Island, New York along with his brothers Fred (deceased) and Harold.

Having joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1949, he served on the U.S.S. Winston and the U.S.S. Logan as an electronics technician during the Korean Conflict. He studied and received his degree in electrical engineering at the University of Maryland. During this time Bill married Barbara Bennett (also originally of Staten Island). They were a team together for 69 years and the proud parents of four daughters: Eve (Randy Walter), Janet, Lynn and Gail (Eli Lederman). Bill and Barbara moved to Wellesley, MA in 1961 when Bill joined Raytheon Corp. for 15 years before joining Mitre Corp. in Bedford, MA.

Bill was an avid golfer (and champion) over the years, a talented amateur painter, cook, as well as the consummate do-it-yourselfer, having built a two-story addition to his house, a deck, two basement apartments among others. He adored his household of wife and daughters and was their chief cheerleader whether it was for swimming, ballet, music lessons or golf. He was “Mr. Easygoing” — never had a bad word to say about anybody.

He enjoyed visits with his 9 grandchildren: Katie, Emily and Allison Walter; Will, Maggie and Emma Chen; Ingrid, Peter and Ben Lederman. Great grandchildren include Charlie and Henry Forrestal; Josie and Will Cederberg; Liam Ryan; Bode Chen-Phillips; Everett Chen; plus #8 Ryan on the way! He will be missed by his nieces, nephews and friends he made wherever he went.

In recent months he was sustained by their prayers, phone calls, emails and visits. Bill relished his 30 years of retirement spent in Chatham and making trips to Europe, especially to the birthplace of his mother (Norway) and father (Sweden).

A service will be held at Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans on Tues. Sept. 12th @ 10am. Committal will be held the same day at 1:15pm in the MA National Cemetery, Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Eldredge Public Library or the charity of your choice.

For online condolences please visit: www.nickersonfhchatham.com