William Andrew McPherson

Bill was born in Dorchester, MA but lived his youth in West Roxbury, MA. He was the oldest son of William A. McPherson and Margaret (Rice) and was very devoted to his parents and 3 siblings, Margaret, Paul and Eugene. He attended Boston Schools and received his business degree in Industrial Management from Providence College and his Master’s degree in Marketing from Boston University. He joined the US Navy and served 5 years active duty as a Supply Corps Officer. He was stationed at Quonset Point, RI and on the aircraft carrier USS Antietam during the Korean Conflict. He remained in the U.S. Navy Supply Corp Reserve for another 25 years, with service as National Director and also President of the Boston Chapter. After 30 years he retired as a Captain in the Supply Corp. He was proud of his long and distinguished career in the US Navy and of the many fellow officers he stayed connected to throughout his lifetime.

After his active duty, Bill maintained a highly successful career in International High Technology marketing management, sales management, and acquisition & business development. He joined Service Bureau Corporation of IBM as a senior sales rep, followed by 20 years of working for Honeywell Information Systems. Eventually he moved to Nashua, NH working for Itek Corporation/Litton Industries as Vice President of Marketing . Later he joined his brother Gene and sold commercial real estate with the McPherson Corporation.

With his wife, Rita, they settled their family in Scituate, MA, and lived there for 24 years, raising their 5 children. Ever the seafarer he loved this little beach community and enjoyed boating, clamming and fishing on the North River and the Atlantic ocean and all the joys of coastal living. He was an avid runner, and reader; always conscientious of his physical health, his intellectual stimulation, but also of his spiritual well-being. He was a devout Christian in both belief and in action, and was a strong participant in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. When he later moved to Nashua, NH for business, he kept his Scituate residence and enjoyed frequent visits to the homestead to spend time with his family and friends.

William was a man of great faith. Along with his wife, he was involved with the Cursillo Movement, Marriage Encounters, Teens Encounter Christ and most recently The Voice of the Faithful in NH. A natural leader and always a man of service, Bill was president of the Parish Counsel at the Immaculate Conception Church in Nashua and taught CCD for many years. After a trip to Scotland, he became a lifelong member of the McPherson Clan Association, serving as NE Commissioner. Bill was always passionate about his Scottish heritage, tracing his genealogy and learning about his family and descendants.

Actually, he, like his father before him, had a lifelong thirst for knowledge and learning and teaching. In his later years, he was so proud to be involved in the RISE Program of senior education at Rivier University, helping to create it from the ground up and served as its second president. He was facilitator for the American Quandaries course, a favorite class on Foreign policy, boasting 70 to 90 senior students & loyal followers every single semester for 12 plus years. He also loved his country, kept very current in U.S, politics and took his responsibility to vote very seriously.

But most of all Bill was the consummate family man, He lived for his wife and children and all of his family members. These relationships and reunions are where he derived much of his joy and fullfillment. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years Rita (Dumont) of Nashua, NH, whom he cherished, adored and loved with all his heart for the past 66 years. He believed they were a match made in heaven and he considered her his "PERFECT" wife. After God and Rita, his next great and deepest love were his children. Broken-hearted at such a loss but grateful for his constant love, support and his amazing example, remain his 4 daughters: Katherine & her husband Bob Dexter of Whitman, MA; Helyn & her husband Jim Bailey plus Anne & her husband Joe Sweeney all of Scituate, MA; Mary & her husband David Burkhardt of Pembroke, MA, and finally his son, William A the III & his wife Debbie of Manchester Center, VT to whom he now passes on his torch with complete confidence, respect and love. Also left behind to carry on their grandfather's legacy are his only two grandsons, of whom he was so proud: James Bailey & his wife Laura of Concord, NH and Michael Bailey of Scituate, MA. And of course the 3 great grandsons who brought him so much delight, enjoyment, and hope: Bradley, William, & Wesley Bailey. He is survived by his sister Margaret McDonnell of Lakewood, NY and his brother, Eugene McPherson of Nashua, NH with whom he remained so close and devoted to his whole life and his cousin/sister/best friend (Mary) Jean Gearin of Falmouth, MA/Seattle, WA. He leaves behind ALL the rest of the McPHERSON CLAN, who share his strong heritage and Scottish roots and all the many friends, neighbors, associates, and the countless people that Bill has helped and touched along his journey of love and service. Together we celebrate Bill's extraordinary life!

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016 from 4:00PM-7:00PM at the Zis-Sweeney Funeral Home, 26 Kinsley St. Nashua, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 10:30AM at Immaculate Conception Parish, 216 E. Dunstable Rd., Nashua. In lieu of flowers, donations will be appreciated in his memory to the RISE Program at Rivier University, Immaculate Conception Church and Corpus Christi Food Pantry all in Nashua. Condolences may be offered at: www.ZisSweeneyFuneralHome.com.

All who loved Bill are encouraged to write a treasured memory and/or download a favorite picture into the Guest Book on his Obituary page. This is the DIRECT LINK to do that:

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=William-McPherson&lc=7303&pid=181308524&mid=7075917