WILLIAM R. WIRKALA of Hingham, died on Thursday, Feb. 15th at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth after a brief illness. He was 95. Mr. Wirkala was born in Hingham and was a lifelong resident, graduating from Hingham High School. During World War II he served as a Technical Sergeant with the United States Air Force. He then was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Hingham, retiring in 1971. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Hingham and an active member of the Masonic fraternity. As a Mason, he was a Past Master of Old Colony Lodge of Hingham, a Past Master of the 18th Lodge of Instruction and a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Plymouth 27th Masonic District. In addition, Mr. Wirkala was a member of the Bare Cove Fire Museum in Hingham, a member of the Edward Ball Cole Post # 120 of the American Legion also in Hingham, and a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch #34.
He was the uncle of Kenneth S. Wirkala of Hingham, David Wirkala of Maine and Alan Wirkala of Connecticut. Great uncle of Karen Dodos of Charleton, MA and James Wirkala of St. George, Maine. He was the brother of the late George, Carl, Lempi, Oscar, Allie and Henry Wirkala.
A Memorial Service will be conducted on Monday, Feb. 19th at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church, 85 Main St., Hingham, MA 02043.
Friends may visit at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond St., Hingham on Sunday afternoon from 2-5 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Hingham.
The interment in the High Street Cemetery in Hingham is to be private.