Walter Preston Broadbent, 95, passed away February 21, 2012 at his home after a short illness.
He was born at his family dairy farm in Westport on December 11, 1916 in a snowstorm. He was the son of the late Walter Palmer Broadbent and Shirley Lavina (Lawton) Broadbent. He was a direct descendant of Elizabeth Alden from the Mayflower.
He played football for Westport High School and graduated in 1935. Mr. Broadbent attended Durfee Textile in Fall River. He worked as a dairy farmer. He married Glenda Kirby Taber on July 4, 1945 and worked for Firestone Rubber and Latex as a foreman. He served in the Army Air Force during WWII. From 1946-1979 he worked as a self-employed carpenter and built over one hundred houses in the Westport area. He built the house he and Glenda lived in for over 65 years at Westport Point. He loved to garden and cut wood which he heated their home with.
He is survived by his wife Glenda, his three children, daughter Lois Allen and her husband Francis of Bella Vista, AR, Meredith Leach and her husband Brian of Dartmouth, son Andrew Broadbent and his wife Robin of West Chester, PA. Grandchildren Wendy Taylor, Andrew Sherman, Ashlen Broadbent and Andrew J. Broadbent.
Graveside services to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport at 11:00 A.M.
Calling hours Friday 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the POTTER FUNERAL HOME, 81 Reed Rd., Westport.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Westport Point United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2, Westport Point, MA 02791 or to the Westport Ambulance Fund P.O. Box 3470, Westport, MA 02790.