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William Budness Obituary
Bill married his high school sweetheart, Virginia (Ginger) Robertson in 1962. They were married for 55 years and raised three children. He was a loving and dedicated husband and father who always put his family first. His wife Ginger, his loving daughter Lynn Ricker (Mark) of Ocean View, DE, his loving son, Keith of Ocean View, DE and his loving daughter Gretchen Zichelle (John) of Sterling, MA, survive Bill. He leaves six grandchildren, David Robertson, Ali Robertson, Savanna Zichelle, James Zichelle, Nicholas Zichelle and Ryan Ricker ("The Kid"), and a great granddaughter, Harper Sky, who came into his life this past May. Bill leaves his devoted brother, Jim of Belchertown, MA, his loving wife Marie, nephew Michael, sister Linda, three nephews and their families, Warren, Bill, and George Sampson. His parents, William and Charlotte, and his brothers Mark and Paul predeceased him.
With much gratitude, the family wishes to thank Paradise Senior Living for providing a compassionate, loving environment for their loved one. A very special thank you to Beverly, Rodney, Shentel and Vitas Hospice for making Bill's last days comfortable and peaceful.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Donations may be sent to Boston University School of Medicine, CTE Center Medical Campus, 72 East Concord St., B-7800, Boston, MA 02118.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Budness
Catherine Farrick
January 20, 2020
Hi Lynn! Its Cathy (Letourneau) Farrick. Just wanted to say Im thinking of you. I lost my dad last week...its never easy. Hope you are well.
Alice Cassotta
February 4, 2018
Ginger,
I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. In reading some of the other entries, Bill was loved by so many. What a wonderful legacy. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Cousin Alice and Rick
Charlie and Linda McCarthy
February 4, 2018
He was a very nice guy. May he rest in peace
Kim Keogh
February 4, 2018
Rest In Peace Coach Budness. I am forever grateful for the guidance and mentorship you gave to this young softball player.
Kim Wysocki Keogh, #4 WHS
Suzanne Bowman
February 3, 2018
Rest In Peace Mr. Budness. You brought up such a great family I enjoyed knowing you all! My husband, Gary Matherson has such fond memories of your friendly smile & easy going demeanor at GHS.
Lynn, Keith, Gretchen & Mrs. Budness you are in my thoughts & prayers as you get used to life without your beloved. Remember he's always with you.
jeffrey jobst
February 1, 2018
What a man! Did my student teaching under Bill at GHS in 1978. He took good care of me, let me grow on my own with his watchful eye. Him and Fran were quite a pair, We will miss him!
Paradise Senior Living
January 31, 2018
Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. The bond that your family has is amazing - What a privilege and blessing to have cared for Bill and to know each of you -he is loved and missed.
Richard Godsey
January 30, 2018
Ginger,
I was deeply saddened when I learned today of Bill's passing. He and I entered the Supers office the same day in August, 1971, to sign our contracts. We taught together in Greenfield for over 30 years. Bill was a fine and decent man, one of the best I have ever known. He was greatly beloved by all the kids whose lives he touched. He was in every sense a local hero. My deepest sympathy to you and your children.
THE SEGALA FAMILY
January 30, 2018
DEAR GINGER & FAMILY; JUST A FEW WORDS TO SAY HOW SORRY WE ARE TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF BILL.AS A FOOTBALL FAMILY WE HAD SOME GREAT YEARS WHILE OUR BOYS PLAYED FOOTBALL AT FRONTIER BOTH YOU AND BILL WERE A GREAT HELP TO ALL OF US. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU.
Maryanne (Deren) Cierpial
January 29, 2018
Ginger My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Chicopee High School Class of 1960
Paul Keller
January 29, 2018
To Ginger and the rest of the family, you have my heartfelt sympathy on the death of you husband and family man. I had Bill for physical ed at THE in 1973 and 1974, the year I graduated. Physical ed was not something I liked, but Bill did make it interesting, with the variety of things he provided for us! Ginger, I remember you well at FCPH. You were a nurse there, and I sorted for the Dietary Department. Those times were good times for all of employees. Kindest Regards to everyone!
Joe and Judy Hohol
January 29, 2018
I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Billy was a great friend...I remembered the times we had fishing the Green River. He was a wonderful football coach at Greenfield High. While I was coaching at Chicopee High under Bill Moge we faced his teams many times and they were always more than very competitive. My condolences go out to his brother Jimmy and the entire family...may Bill Rest In Peace.
Joyce and Mike Dugre
January 29, 2018
My deepest sympathy to Ginger and her family. I have such fond memories of Billy and the whole family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult and sad time. Michael was also very sad to hear of Billy's passing. He was his "Raiders" hero. He will always be a Raiders fan because of Billy and his dad, Bob.
Catherine Farrick
January 29, 2018
Lynn...May your memories of your dad live forever in your heart. Please accept our sincere sympathy. We are thinkIng of you!
❤ Doug and Cathy (Letourneau) Farrick
January 28, 2018
I've had the pleasure of knowing Bill since the early 90's. He was a thoughtful and caring man. Bill enjoyed holiday's surrounded by family and friends. Cooking for all who showed. Bill also enjoyed nature, fishing and hunting. I can remember during hunting season, his brothers and friends would gather at his home in Bernardston. 60 acres of beautiful pastures and rolling hills to stake their claim. Year after year Bill would come up empty handed. I realize he enjoyed feeding the deer's more than hunting them. Compassionate and kind. I will miss him dearly.
Your son-in-law,
John Zichelle
richard alexander
January 28, 2018
my deepest sympathy to everyone.
1972, junior high, there is an assembly to introduce him. I can still see him, tan sport coat, he goes up onto the stage. look at the size of him ! then we had him in high school. a truly special person that had the gift to connect with anyone. RIP.
Rebecca Sevene
January 28, 2018
Mr. Budness was one of my very favorite teachers at GHS. I'll remember him for his kindness, his humor, and his stories of NFL and Super Bowl days. I wasn't a real athletic kid, but P.E. with he and Mr. Murphy was actually fun! Godspeed Mr. Budness.
Mark Hutchinson
January 27, 2018
I'm very saddened to read this. Budness, you were one-of-a-kind and a legend at GHS. Thank you for all the fun times had in your classes and for the opportunity to try on an authentic Super Bowl ring. Godspeed.
Fran Lemay
January 27, 2018
My deepest sympathies go to Ginger and the entire family.
I will always appreciate his friendship in his early years in the Greenfield area.
Ann Marie Budness
January 27, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Bill's family. May he Rest In Peace. Ann Marie Budness
Stephen Michaels
January 27, 2018
"BUDNESS RULES" Thanks Bill. You were one of the smartest people on earth.
The only thing I can say is Thank You,
January 27, 2018
Billy was always my hero growing up and I loved him. My condolences to his children. May he rest in peace. Linda
January 27, 2018
Peace .
Love , light ,healing & peace to the family and loved ones.-
Aubrey Kocjan
January 27, 2018
Mr. Budness was a wonderful teacher and friend. He had a huge impact on so many lives at GHS. I have so many great high school memories of him. Rest In Peace, and my sincere condolences to his family.
Lisa Bourque
January 26, 2018
Mr. Budnesd was one of those teachers we will all tell stories about to our kids! He will be missed. Rest In Peace!
Rebecca Puchalski
January 26, 2018
Mr. Budness was also a beloved teacher at GHS. A kind human, with a great sense of human and a unique gift for making everyone feel like they belonged. He will be missed by so many. Thank you for all the kindness that you put out in to this world Mr. Budness
Tina (LaValley) Allis
January 26, 2018
I am so sad to hear of Mr Budness' passing. He was a great gym teacher and he left me with many fond memories. You're in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Stephanie Lovell
January 26, 2018
RIP to one of the best teachers I had in school. For someone like me who hated gym it was nice to have a teacher like Mr. Budness to make gym more bearable. Thank you for making my high school experience a great one. You will be missed.
Rest in peace Mr. Budness.
Tim Williams
January 26, 2018
Keith! Your dad was a great man on and off the field
Joe Leonard
January 26, 2018
Larger than life, Mr Budness was a giant among the men, women, and teens at GHS. He took the time to know your name, would get even the most introverted students playing his take on "Dodgeball" affectionately called "Budball", and shared years worth of life stories with those willing to listen. Certainly won't be forgotten by the many lives he impacted.
Adrienne Cramer
January 26, 2018
What an amazing man. Im so glad I had the chance to know him. By far my favorite teacher. My sincere condolences to the family.
Shannon Prescott
January 26, 2018
RIP to another person who made an impact in my life. My high school gym teacher who always listened to me, always could tell when I needed to chat or a hug, pushed me to be better, understood there were days when I just didn't want to play volleyball, worked with me to keep me active and focused, and let me try on the infamous Super Bowl ring. He was and still is a GHS legend.
Thank you for being a mentor. Say hey to Murph for me.
Chris Rooney
January 26, 2018
Mr. Budness was a great teacher and mentor. He knew when to give a kid like me a pass and when to speak up when I was making bad choices. I know there are many other students he helped over the years and we wish him well in the afterlife and condolences to his family. Rest In Peace Budness
Kevin Brown
January 26, 2018
Mr. Budness was a great teacher and kind man, sorry for you loss.
Suzi Bourdeau Hefner
January 26, 2018
Ginger, sending prayers for you and your family.
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