William Lewis, 87

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Boxford, MASS. – William Michael Lewis died peacefully on March 2 after a life filled with family, friends, and love. 

 

 Bill was born on July 4, 1930, in Providence, the only child of Anna (Solomon) Lewis and Israel Budner Lewis. He attended Peekskill Military Academy in New York where he was a club officer, the quarterback of the football team and played varsity lacrosse, soccer and basketball. He attended Rutgers University before being drafted into the Army in 1950. 

 While serving in Japan and Korea during the Korean War, he earned three medals, including the United National Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with the Bronze Star, and the National Defense Service Medal.

When he returned from the Army, he took a fateful trip to the beach in Narragansett where he met the love of his life, Lois. They married in 1955 and moved to Cranston to start their lives together.

Together, Bill and Lois had three children: Debra, Michael and Steven. Bill was the third generation owner of the family business, M. Solomon Casket Company, where he worked for nearly 46 years before handing the business over to his sons.  After 40 years in Cranston, he and his wife designed and built their dream home in Warwick. In 1998, they retired and spent winters at their home in Naples. Each summer, he and Lois returned to Bonniecrest in Newport to spend time with family and celebrate his birthday with fireworks on the Fourth of July. 

 Bill and Lois were inseparable in their 60 years of marriage, traveling the world, playing tennis, bridge, golf, sailing, and attending the theater and ballet. Bill was an avid stamp collector and enjoyed playing improvised music on the piano. He loved watching football and kept up with everything in politics so he was always up for a debate. Bill was also very active in his community, serving on various committees and boards. 

When Lois passed away two years ago, Bill never truly recovered from the loss. She was the center of his world and some would say he died of a broken heart. He was a deeply caring man who always put his family first. Bill will be remembered for his passion for living and his generosity to others.  

He is survived by his children Debra Lewis Hogan and her husband, Lawrence, of Boxford, Michael Lewis and his wife, Brenda, of East Greenwich, and Steven Lewis and his wife, Kathryn, of East Greenwich; five grandchildren, Cory, Rachel, John, Elana, Cara and her husband, Darren; and his sister-in-law Marcia Halpern and her husband, Robert.  

Contributions in his memory may be made to Care Dimensions (Hospice), 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 or your favorite charity.