TEWKSBURY: William "Bill" Roper, age 85, a lifelong resident of Tewksbury, and retired Tewksbury Carnation Grower, passed away at home on Monday, October 11, 2010, with his family by his side.
He was the beloved husband of Isabelle G. (Chandler) Roper, with whom he celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on July 22, 2010
Born in Tewksbury on December 19, 1924, he was the son of the late Mark and Mary I. (McCoy) Roper.
Bill attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from Tewksbury High School in 1942.
In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II with the 461st Replacement Company during the battles at Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. Mr. Roper was awarded several decorations for his military service including the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon.
Following his honorable discharge from active duty on December 3, 1945, he returned to Tewksbury, where he continued his lifelong career as a carnation grower at Mark Roper & Sons Greenhouse until his retirement.
Mr. Roper was a devout member and daily communicant of St. Williams Parish in Tewksbury.
He enjoyed numerous activities including coaching the "Yankees" in the Tewksbury Youth Baseball Program, deer hunting with family members in the woods of Weare, New Hampshire, playing his weekly rounds of golf with the Telephone Workers Golf League in Hudson, NH and with his friends at Tewksbury Country Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, William Roper, Jr. and his wife Gail of Tewksbury, John P. Roper and his wife Claudia LeCourt-Roper of Westford, Thomas M. Roper and his wife Jacqueline of Pepperell, Nancy A. Boutet and her husband Keith of Westford, and Alice M. Saunders and her husband Daniel of Tewksbury; thirteen grandchildren, James W. Roper and his wife Nicole, Thomas J., Greta K., Jody E., Mark E., Michael T., and Timothy M. Roper, William R. and Mary R. Boutet, Daniel J. Saunders, Amy J., Kevin A., and John M. Saunders; also many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Roper was the brother of the late Bernice R. Treadwell, Irene E. Manley, Grace P. Marion, James, Albert L., Mark W. "Red" Roper.
Calling hours Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be held Thursday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m., at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Bldg. # 9, Lawrence, MA 01843.