William Devanney

DEVANNEY, WILLIAM JOSEPH, D.D.S. 79, of Warwick, R.I. passed away at Kent County Hospital on March 18th surrounded by his family. He was the adored and beloved husband of Sherri (Long) Devanney just shy of 54 years together. Born in Providence to the late Dr. Frederick A. & Eleanor (Parkinson) Devanney, he has made his home throughout Rhode Island. Starting with his dental practice in Warwick, he has lived with his family in East Greenwich, Block Island, Exeter and Warwick. Born in Providence, Bill graduated from St. Raphael's Academy in 1952. He continued onto University of Maryland finishing his BS in 1956. Bill finished his education at Georgetown University Dental School in Washington D.C. in 1960. He served in the Navy as a dental officer and Lieutenant from 1960-1962 on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Lake Champlain. Not only did he have his private dental practice in Warwick in which his son, James had joined and now continues, he was also the dentist on Block Island. Outside of his passion for his profession, he had a strong drive for politics. While he was raising his family he served on the school committee in East Greenwich for several years. When Sherri and Bill relocated to Exeter in1986, he fit right in and gained a seat on the town council. Later, he became president. Bill was an extremely generous man who loved to help those around him. He loved to spend time with his friends but most of all his family !!! He leaves his two sons; William G. Devanney, RPH, of Melbourne Beach, FL and James F. Devanney, D.M.D. and his wife Carrie of Warwick and daughter Linda V. Devanney, RDH of West Warwick. He also leaves his twin brother, John A. Devanney, Ph. D. of Bel Air, Maryland. Papa, as he was known by his 8 grandchildren, Nathaniel, Jenna, Nicholas, Kyle, Caroline, Katie, Camryn and Jillian will be missed terribly. He was the brother of the late Frances T. Devanney, Eleanor Coughlin, Frederick Devanney, Mary Haggerty and Joseph A. Devanney. He was a wonderful uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all who had the honor to know him. His funeral will be held on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 8:30 am from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Road, Warwick. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am in St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI. Burial will be in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours, Sunday, 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Kent County Hospital, 455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, RI 02886 in his memory would be appreciated. boyleandsonfuneralhome.com