William E. Bickford

RUMNEY -- William Edwin Bickford, 83, died Aug. 18, 2008, at home after a short illness due to a stroke.

He was born in Nashua, Nov. 20, 1924, to Blanche (Nutting) and Jason F. Bickford. He graduated from Dublin School in 1943, and worked as a bookkeeper for T.D. Whitney and Nutting's Music Store, both of Nashua.

In 1949 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, becoming a heavy equipment mechanic. He was among the first U.S. troops called into Korea at the outbreak of hostilities.

After his discharge, he earned an associate's degree in business administration at Burdette College, Boston, in 1954.

He then worked as an accountant and inventory control clerk for International Harvester Company, Somerville and Medford, Mass., retiring in 1989 after 34 years of service.

Family members include his wife of 44 years, the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bickford of Rumney; a daughter, Virginia Musumeci of Salem; a son, William R. Bickford of Salem; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Bickford of Nashua; a sister, Sylvia Webster of Sanbornton; and several nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: Friends may call at Mayhew Funeral Home in Plymouth on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and at Ashland Church on Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m before the service. A funeral service will be held at Ashland United Methodist Church, Washington Street, Ashland, Thursday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Edgewood Cemetery, Nashua, at 2 p.m. A brief memorial service will also be held at Milan Community United Methodist Church, Milan, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Pemi-Baker Home Health and Hospice, 101 Boulder Point, Plymouth, Comfort-Keepers of Campton, or to the charity of one's choice.

Mayhew Funeral Home in Plymouth is in charge of arrangements (www.mayhewfuneralhomes.com).