William Francis Dowling, Jr., 86, of Winchester, formerly of Weymouth, passed away Sept. 1, 2012. He was the husband of the late Mary (Petitti) Dowling, to whom he was married for 15 years until her death in 2006. Born at home in Charlestown, MA to William F. and Madeline V. (Kenniston) Dowling. Mr. Dowling was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, where he was stationed in Hawaii. Upon discharge from the military, he graduated from Vesper George School of Art in Boston where he majored in stage art and design. Bill then studied creative writing in graduate school at Catholic University in Washington D.C. He also studied design at the Architectural School of Design in Boston and at Yale University. Mr. Dowling worked in hotel design at Howard Johnson’s for many years, eventually starting his own firm, Licensee Supply Co. Bill married the love of his life, Mary, in 1991 and became a new father to her children, Angela Diviney and her husband Richard of Westport, CT and Jack Trifero and his wife Jan of New Canaan, CT. A kind and generous man, Bill was always there to help others in their times of need. He was a devoted Catholic and attended daily Mass at St. Mary’s in Winchester for many years. In his spare time, he was a portrait artist and he and his late wife were avid theatre-goers and enjoyed ballroom dancing. His love for the stage was his main source of entertainment, and he especially loved musicals. He was the beloved brother of Dorothy Beatson of Woodstock, CT and the late Robert E. Dowling and his wife Doris of Malden, MA. He was also the devoted grandfather of Andrew V. Rosato and his wife Jennifer, Matthew V. Rosato and his wife Carrie, Alessandra and Isabella Trifero. He was also the great-grandfather “Great Bill” of Anthony, Francis & Katherine, and will be deeply missed by his numerous nieces and nephews, Daniel, Kathe, Erin, Nora, Brenda, Karen, Doris Ann, Robert, Alyce, and Lynne. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wed. Sept. 5, at 11AM in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St. Winchester, MA 01890. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visitation will be held on Wed. one hour prior to mass 9:30-10:30 in Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester. Burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church at the address listed.