SPENCER;William N. Grenier 81 of 22 Lincoln St., died Thursday Dec. 4 at UMASS Memorial- Memorial Campus after a brief illness. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Gloria A. (Ethier) Grenier, two sons William D.Grenier (Lisa) of Spencer and Gray P. Grenier (Kathy) of No.Oxford, a sister Beulah E. Plante of Spencer, four grandchildren, Roxanne, Jake, Jared and Kayla, and several nieces and nephews. A brother State Rep. Henry R. "Hank" Grenier died in 1999.
Mr. Grenier was a civilian advisor for the Dept. of the Army in Worcester and later Springfield for 15 years, retiring in 1982. He previously was a mail carrier and clerk at the Spencer Post Office for many years. Mr. Grenier was a Lt. Colonel (Ret.) in the U.S. Army Reserve and was Commanding Officer of the 3rd. Battalion, 16 th. Infantry-187th. Brigade in Worcester for many years. He was an Army veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific.He was a member of the Retired Army Officers Assoc. of Worcester and a member of the Gaudette-Kirk Post 138- American Legion in Spencer. He was a 23 year member of the Richard Sugden Library Board of Trustees, St. Mary's Church and the Massasoit Golf League at Bay Path Country Club. He was a longtime member of Hillcrest C.C. in Leicester and its "Growlers" Golf League.He was a member of the 70+ Ski Club at Wachusett Mtn.and was a founding member and former coach of the Spencer-E.Brookfield Little League. He graduated from David Prouty High in 1940. He was an avid reader, sports fan, enjoyed dancing and big band music.
Born in Worcester, he was the son of Henry W. and Emeline (Gaudette) Grenier. The funeral will be held Tuesday Dec. 9 from the J.Henri Morin & Son Funeral Home, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer with a Mass at 10a.m. in St. Mary's Church, 60 Maple St., Spencer. Burial with Military Honors, will be in Mary,Queen of the Rosary Cemetery, Spencer. Calling hours are Monday Dec. 8 from 4 to 7p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Spencer-E.Brookfield Little League, P.O. Box 101, Spencer or the Richard Sugden Library, Pleasant St., Spencer 01562.