William "Butch" Heiden

1948 - 2013

GREENFIELD - William ""Butch"" Heiden, 65, of Pond Street, passed away Thursday (11-28-13), following a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family members who remember his story and positive attitude throughout his illness.
Butch was raised throughout the U.S. and Germany. He was born in Toledo, OH, on May 25, 1948, the son of William W. and Beatrice (Bancroft) Heiden. He met his future wife in his last two years at Holliston High School.
After graduating in 1966, he joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in Oct. of 1970. He served aboard two destroyers and a cruiser. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA, for his enlistment.
In January of 1971, he entered UMass and graduated in 1975 with a degree in Marketing. He then started a 30- year career with Hunt-Wesson foods as a sales representative, where he went on to become an account manager. During that time he made many friendships which he kept throughout the years. He retired in 2005 to do his first love of home improvements and handyman work. His accomplishments can be seen throughout Franklin and Hampshire counties.
He loved his buddies at the Elks and was in the Pitch and Golf league there until just a few weeks ago.
Butch had a great love of family and leaves behind survivors including his wife, Carolyn (Raymond) Heiden of 45 years; his children, Bill Jr. and his wife Nicole (Belhumeur) Heiden of Bloomfield, CT; his daughter, Sheri (Heiden) Eldridge and her husband Tom of Weymouth, MA, Michael and his wife Melissa (Hancock) Heiden of Guilford, VT. He also leaves his sister, Karen (Walker) Holmes and life partner Steve of Uxbridge, MA; eight grandchildren: Nathanial, Alexander, Christian, Johnathan, Gabriel, Thomas, Elizabeth and Michaela. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Jean Raymond of Grantham, NH, whom he loved dearly.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday (12-6-13) at 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, Silver Street, Greenfield. Burial will follow at Green River Cemetery.
There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First Congregational Church of Greenfield, 42 Silver St., Greenfield MA 01301 or Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Greenfield, MA 01301.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kostanski Funeral Home. Sympathy message available at:
www.kostanskifuneralhome.com