Lane, William “Bill” D. Sr., age 87, of Westwood, formerly of Dedham, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 21, 2026. Beloved husband of Julia M. (Foley) Lane for 64 years. Devoted father of Sharon Lane and her wife, Lise Marx, of Dedham; William D. Lane Jr. and his wife, Nadia Lane, of Dedham; Donna Camiolo and her husband, Andy, of Westwood; and Shawn Lane of Burlington. He was the proud grandfather of six cherished grandchildren: Michela Camiolo of Dedham, Daniel Camiolo of Boston, Emma Lane of South Burlington, VT, Maya Lane of Baltimore, MD, and Logan and Lukas Lane of Carlisle.
He is also survived by his brothers Joseph Lane of Naples, FL, Thomas Lane of Marlboro, and James Lane of Marblehead, and by his sister Mary Anne Merrigan of Milton. He was predeceased by his brothers Paul Lane and John Lane, and by his sister Therese Carroll.
To know Bill was to feel welcomed. Known affectionately as “Big Bill from Savin Hill,” he was a man whose presence filled a room long before he said a word—usually because he was already laughing, smiling, or greeting someone like an old friend. Bill had a rare gift: he made people feel seen, valued, and at ease, whether they had known him for decades or only a few minutes.
Kindness came naturally to him. His generosity was boundless, especially toward those in need. He never measured what he gave—his time, his help, his heart—he simply showed up. If someone needed a hand, Bill was there, asking what could be done. His quiet acts of outreach and compassion were countless, and many lives are better because he crossed their path.
Bill’s deep sense of loyalty and generosity was shaped early in life. He grew up as one of eight siblings in Dorchester, Massachusetts, where family meant everything. Bill remained deeply close to his brothers and sisters, cherishing those relationships with the same steadiness and devotion that defined every part of his life.
Bill went to work as a plumber, learning a trade that would become both his livelihood and his legacy. Through hard work, and determination, he went on to build a highly successful, family-run plumbing and heating business.
Above all else, Bill was a devoted and loving father and grandfather. He led by example, teaching through his actions what it meant to be decent, loyal, and caring. His children and grandchildren knew they were deeply loved—not just in words, but in the way he showed up, encouraged, and believed in them. His pride in his family was evident to anyone who heard him speak about them, always with warmth and unmistakable joy.
Bill’s laughter, his warmth, and his unmistakable spirit will be deeply missed. Yet his legacy lives on—in the kindness he shared, the family he cherished, and the countless people who will forever remember how he made them feel. Bill leaves behind a world that is undeniably brighter because he was in it.
Visiting hours will be held at George F. Doherty Funeral Home Wilson-Cannon, 456 High Street, Dedham, on Thursday, January 29, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held from the funeral home on Friday, January 30, at 9:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 420 High Street, Dedham, at 10:00 AM (accessible parking available in the rear of the church). Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment will follow at Brookdale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Bill’s life may be made to My Brother’s Keeper, a cause close to his heart, at PO Box 338, Easton, MA 02356, or at www.MyBrothersKeeper.org/Donate .