At age 95, Bill passed away peacefully on Friday, September 22, 2023 at his home in Tiverton, Rhode Island. He was the husband of Leonora P. (McNamara) Girrier with whom he shared 72 years of marriage.
Born in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late Paul J. and Mary A. (McNeil) Gerrior. He spent his youth in Winthrop, Massachusetts and lived in Huntington, Long Island, New York for many years prior to moving to Tiverton in 2000.
A graduate of Winthrop High School, Class of 1946, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) in 1950. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, stationed aboard the forward-deployed mine sweeper, USS Chief, during the Korean War, and served in the Naval Reserve, retiring as Commander. A longtime military history buff, he participated in the Town of Huntington’s bicentennial celebrations and reenactments as a leader in the local militia.
Bill was a contracts manager for the defense industry on Long Island, employed by Sperry Gyroscope, Grumman Aerospace, Fairchild Republic, and Edo. Prior to retiring, he served as a Port Captain for Exxon-Mobil, supporting operations in the Port of New York.
On retirement, Bill, as a self-taught painter and sculptor, more earnestly pursued his life-long passion of representing philosophical concepts in art, depicting the elegance, mystery, and chaos of nature. He won several juried competitions and awards in this pursuit.
Bill was an engaging storyteller, weaver of tales and purveyor of bone-crushing bear hugs. He kept the impressionable next generation and many (older) sailing crew rapt with narratives of celestial wonders on overnight seafaring excursions. In 2019 he published “The Pegasus Revelation,” a metaphysical adventure novel expounding on his expansive view of life and the universe.
He was a member of the Centerport Yacht Club (NY); the Scipio Society of Huntington, NY; the Circle of Scholars and the Art Museum of Newport, RI; and actively supported the Boy Scouts of America during his family’s school years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Patricia L. Casey of Tiverton, Catherine G. Christensen and her husband Craig of Boxborough, MA; one son, Rear Admiral, Robert P. Girrier, United Sates Navy, Retired and his wife June of Annapolis, MD; one sister, JoAnn Melhuish of Glenridge, NJ; daughter-in-law, Denise Girrier; five grandchildren: Nicole, Tiffany, Bridgette, Dane and Devon; six great-grandchildren: Ellie, Olivia, Gavin, Brody, James, and Dyson. He was the father of the late William J. (Bill) Girrier, brother of the late Robert P. Gerrier and Ann Reardon, grandfather of the late Kai Girrier and father-in-law of the late Dennis Casey.
His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 28 , 2023 at 11:00AM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street, Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. Visitation will be held prior to his service from 10:00 to 11:00AM. Contributions in his honor may be made to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 300 Steamboat Rd., Kings Point, NY 11024; or to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Private burial at a later date.
Rest in Peace, Bill. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many.
