William James Cotter Jr.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of William James Cotter, Jr, of Irmo, SC, aged 77, who passed away peacefully at home after his brave battle with cancer on Friday, December 15, 2023. He was born on December 11, 1946 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to William James Cotter, Sr. and Lena Evans Cotter.

Bill was a resident of Middleton, Massachusetts for 73 years, and graduated from Masconomet Regional High School in 1963. He worked as a Foreman for Salem Suede Leather Factory for 48 years.

He is predeceased by his parents, William and Lena Cotter of Middleton, MA; sisters, Helen Gage and husband, Edward, of Middleton, MA, and Eileen Tinkham and husband, Wayne, of Danvers, MA; and his brother, Daniel Cotter and wife Dorothy of Middleton, MA.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rose Peters Cotter and their daughter, Paige Joceyln Peters; daughter in law, Kathleen Peters; two grandsons, Henry Peters and Leo Peters; his brother-in-law, Eugene Peters of Fort Meyers, FL; and sister-in-law, Dawn M. Brown of Irmo, SC. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved and adored; nephew, Wayne Tinkham and wife Lisa of Danvers, MA; niece, Brenda Mazzotti and husband, Robert, of Newburyport, MA; late nephew, Jimmy Tinkham of Danvers, MA; nephew, David Tinkham and wife, Tammy, of Danvers, MA; and niece, Cathy McCully and husband, John, of Derry, NH; nephew, John Gage of Middleton, MA; niece, Linda Prince and late husband, Tommy, of Middleton, MA; Cindy Carbone and husband, Ron, of Middleton, MA; Susan Brunet and husband, Ray, of Hamilton, MA; and Laurie Lewis and husband, Karl, of Salisbury, MA. Nephew, Daniel Cotter and wife, Roberta, of Milton, NH; and niece, Christine Cotter – Martell and husband, Paul, of Clermont, FL; Victoria Sharvin and husband, Rich, of West Hempstead NY; and late nephew, James T. Doucette III of Haverhill, MA; as well as many great nephews and nieces. He also leaves behind his best friend of 71 years, M.C. ‘Bill” White of Peabody, MA.

Bill was devoted to family and home. There was nothing he could not build or fix. He was passionate about cars and trucks, especially antique vehicles. When not at car shows, he could be found working in the yard, reading, biking, or driving his truck along the New England coast searching for the perfect fried clams. Bill was known best for his sense of humor and wit. He will be forever missed, as those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.