William F. Koch Jr.

His parents, Lorraine (Gaden) and William F. Koch, Sr., welcomed their son into the world on June 13, 1927 in Freeport, Long Island, NY. William grew up on Long Island.

Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Navy where he served for two years during World War II. He was on a minesweeper in the Sea of Japan and was at Hiroshima six days after the bomb was dropped. He went on to work with the United Nations in NY City. However, his love of serving his country found William enlisting in the Air Force where he served for over 20 years, retiring on August 31, 1971 from Castle Air Force Base in CA at the rank of Technical Sergeant. While serving in the Air Force, William worked with Air Force pilots, teaching them to fly in aircraft flight simulators.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, William went to work at the Division of Motor Vehicles here in Keene as a licensing officer. It was while working at the DMV that he met the love of his life, Carolyn A. Patterson. They were married on September 16, 1978 in the United Church of Christ in Keene. The couple shared many wonderful memories and adventures together for nearly forty years, including trips to many special places, from Atlantic City to Daytona Beach, until her passing on March 23, 2018.

William had many talents including that of a professional drummer. He played with bands all over the country, including performing many gigs at the officer’s club during his Air Force career, as well as being a member of the band "The D’s", here in Keene. He was also an avid golfer.

William is survived by his three daughters, Kathleen Koch of Davis, CA, Kristina Doucette and her husband, Alan, of North Berwick, ME, Karen Senecal of Portsmouth, NH; Carolyn’s children, Michael Murdock and his wife, Marcia, of Swanzey, NH, James Murdock and his wife, Debbie, of Plainville, MA; grandchildren, Adam Ori, Kassandra Ori-McKenney and her husband Richard, Jennifer Mesisca and her husband Jonathan, Dylan Doucette, Nico Doucette, Carrie Sevene, Michelle Murdock, Kimberly Flynn and her husband Michael, Brandon Murdock; great-grandchildren, Katherine, Madeline, Colin, Beatrice, Carly, Hailey, Harper; brother-in-law, Steven Patterson and his wife, Sheran, of Spofford, NH; sister-in-law, Kathy Barrett of Bellview, FL; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Avenue, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Koch’s memory to Fisher House Foundation for active duty military and veterans and their families at fisherhouse.org or the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.