William Francis Herra

William Francis Herra, 66, of Webster passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, after his battle with small cell lung cancer reached its final conclusion.

He is survived by his beloved wife Laurie A. Herra of Webster; their son William J. Herra & spouse Gillian Hohne of Millbury; sister Charlene & husband Louis Martelli of Portland, TN; brother Brian & wife Diane of Huntington, TN; brother John & wife Patricia of Plymouth; parents-in-law Geroge H. Reid, Jr. & wife Lorraine of Brockton; brother-in-law James Anusevitch & wife Karen of Rochester, NH; sister-in-law Michelle & husband Michael Musto of Taunton; sister-in-law Theresa McDonald of San Diego, CA; and dog Teddy. He will always be remembered as the fun uncle by his many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by parents John Herra & Anita Gracey; sister Karen Whalen; brother Charles; mother-in-law Anna Nutt; sisters-in-law Janet & Kimberly Reid; brother-in-law Thomas Reid; and one of the best dogs ever, Buddy.

Bill was born in Lowell, MA as one of John J. Herra & Anita F. Gracey's six children together. He spent his early years in Lowell before moving to Somerville. He graduated top of his class from Somerville Technical Trade High School in 1977 receiving the Director's Outstanding Tradesmen Award for the Painting & Decorating Department. He married his childhood sweetheart Laurie in 1981. She gave birth to their son in 1984. In 1991 they moved to Thompson, CT where they resided until moving back to Massachusetts in 2008.

Over the years Bill enjoyed volunteering at many different organizations. While his son attended St. Joseph's elementary and middle school in North Grosvenordale, CT he volunteered as one of the "lunch ladies" for many years. He also chaperoned field trips and all the kids always wanted to be in his group. He was a great coach for all who had the pleasure of playing on the various baseball teams he helped coach over the years. In more recent years he also volunteered for the Webster Dudley Food Share and Meals on Wheels. For the past five years he had been serving on the Board of Commissioners for the Webster Housing Authority as a Federal Resident Commissioner.

Bill was a wonderful husband and great father. He was truly a lover of life and was always quick with a joke. He was a fierce friend to all who had the pleasure of calling him one. He would've given you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He loved music and going to concerts; especially all the Ozzfests over the years with his son, niece Sarah Lawson, and son's friend Craig Lefler. He often reminisced of the summers spent on bike rides with his son and son's friends Joseph & Jason Manzi. He enjoyed golf, disc golf, and anything involving being in the great outdoors. He took much pride in his flower gardens outside his apartment at Golden Heights. He loved to garden and share his tomatoes with some of the neighbors. He received great joy from making food for the people in his life. He loved to entertain and always looked forward to the annual Fourth of July cookouts he and Laurie put on for many years at their house in Thompson. Bill was a lifelong Red Sox and Patriots fan. He and Laurie frequented Polar Park to see the WooSox play.

There will be no services at this time as Bill did not want any. Please do something nice for someone in your life, or even a complete stranger, as helping others was truly a passion of Bill's. Perhaps volunteer at your local soup kitchen, donate to your local food bank, or donate to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Our family would like to thank all of the staff at Umass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus and Preferred Transitions of Milford, MA, who handled his hospice care, for their kindness and exceptional care throughout Bill's battle.

Let's all toss on some good tunes and just remember all the great times we had together with Bill as that is truly what he would have wanted us to do.