Photo courtesy of Douglass Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home
Mar 25, 1935 - Feb 28, 2026
Our prayers for William, may he rest in peace in God's Kingdom, and may all in his family and others whose lives he touched find comfort during this time.
Christ the King Parish
March 02, 2026 | Reading
This book of memories is to serve as a record of the services you entrusted to us. We hope it will help to preserve treasured memories and that we, in some small measure, have helped to ease your burden and bring you comfort.
John B. Douglass & John B. Douglass II
March 02, 2026 | Reading, MA
William J. Downey, a longtime resident of Reading, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, at the Veterans Home at Chelsea. He was 90 years of age.
William was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts on March 25,1935, the son of the late William and Mary (Curley) Downey and was a graduate of Malden Catholic High School and a veteran of the United States Air Force.
William was the beloved husband of 68 years to the late Mary A. Downey. Devoted father of Kathleen A. Santilli and her husband Richard of North Reading and Kevin J. Downey and his wife Christine of Reading. He was the loving grandfather of Lauren and Kathryn Santilli, and Jennifer and Michelle Downey. Bill was the loving brother of the late John Downey and his wife Florence, Gerard Downey and his late wife Marjorie. and Theresa Gardiner and her late husband Robert. He is also survived by many loving nephews and nieces.He also leaves his granddog Tighe.
Bill and Mary started their family in Everett before moving to Reading. They lived on Cape Cod for a period of time after retirement before moving back to Reading, which they always called home.
Bill and Mary loved to travel, with their favorite destinations being Ireland and Italy because of their beauty and link to family.
Bill was an easy going man with a big heart who loved to sing. He would do anything to help anyone. Bill had a witty sense of humor which carries on through his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by everyone he touched in his life.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading from 9am-10am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St. Reading at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Wood End Cemetery in Reading.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the Mission of Deeds www.missionofdeeds.org
For directions and online guest book visit www.douglassfuneralhome.com
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