William R. Balderson, Jr.

William R. Balderson, Jr. passed away March 5, 2021 at the age of 79 due to complications while battling cancer. Born and raised in New Bedford, MA, Bill was the only child of Margaret McKiernan and William Balderson. He was loved and will be missed greatly by his wife of 51 years, Ann Hughes; his children, Margaret (Scott) Kabat and Robert (Julie) Balderson; his grandchildren, Patrick, Tyler, Katie, and James; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. All are glad to have spent many years laughing with such a wonderful, warm man.

From Holy Family High School (class of ’59), Bill went on to the College of the Holy Cross (class of ’63) in Worcester, MA, where he was a member of ROTC. Upon graduation, he joined the US Navy and served aboard the USS Searcher. He volunteered to serve a tour in Vietnam during the early years of the war and was eventually promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. After his tour, Bill returned to Boston where he met Ann. The young couple married after Bill earned his law degree from the New England School of Law and settled in Dartmouth, MA. Bill maintained a successful law practice in New Bedford for more than 30 years. In his retirement, Bill enjoyed traveling with his bride, visiting with friends and neighbors, walking the beach at Salters Point, spending time with his family, and working on his model railroad. He was happiest while telling stories of his life in the West End of New Bedford, college, the Navy, and being a grandpa. He was known to swim broken glass far off the shore at Salters Point for his wife to find years later as she hunted for pieces along the beach. Each story he told, some multiple times, is a piece of soft, worn glass his friends and family will treasure forever.

Along with his parents, Bill is predeceased by his beloved cousins James Connolly, Francis Connolly, Margaret McGonigle, and their mother Genevieve Connolly, “Nana.” His funeral mass will be held Monday, March 15, 2021 at 10:00 am at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford, MA. The Mass will be livestreamed at www.whalingcitycatholics.org for those unable to attend. A private burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Veterans Transition House (www.vetshouse.org). The family would like to thank Bill’s primary care physician Dr. Joseph Costa, and the staff at both the South Coast Oncology Center and St. Luke’s Hospital for their thoughtful and caring support.