William J. Chadwick

William John Chadwick, of Melrose, passed away on December 1, after a long illness. He was born August 24, 1929 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the son of Harold and Lillian (Frisch) Chadwick. After attending high school in Methuen, MA. Bill graduated from Harvard College, as well as Harvard Law School. On August 29, 1953 Bill married Joyce Johnson, also of Methuen. He served his country in the United States Army while stationed at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas. Upon returning to the Massachusetts area, Bill practiced Law for many years in Boston. After leaving the legal profession behind, he briefly joined the Episcopal Theological School. Bill’s lifelong passion was vaudeville and entertaining. He began performing as a child, joining a group known as the Hayshakers and remained a member of the group for years. He also performed in many USO shows. He traveled throughout the country playing his trumpet and acting as front man for various groups. For many years, Bill was a counselor at Camp O-At-Ka for boys in Maine, and brought his love of entertaining with him. While there, he directed numerous talent shows and made life-long friends. In the mid 1960’s, Bill and Joyce fell in love with square dancing, and together were members of the Woburn, MA, Yankee Twirlers Square Dance Club. They branched out into round dancing where Bill made a name for himself as a popular cuer, and instructor of his own Banjo Wheels Round Dance Club. He would organize yearly round dance weekends and lead the entertainment. It is the passion for perfection that he brought to his performing that he will always be remembered for. It was his lifelong dream to entertain and that he did, with his unique style of wit and humor, and musical talent, Predeceased by his wife, Joyce, in 1971, Bill is survived by three children; Cyndi Chadwick and her partner Deryl Fleming of North Conway, NH; Sandy Chadwick Keegan of Dale City, VA; and David Chadwick of Melrose. Bill is grandfather to Sean and Tyler Keegan and Krista, Kayla and Nicholas Chadwick. He leaves one sister, Bernice Billewicz of Vt., a deceased brother Thomas Chadwick, Sister-in-law Jennie Chadwick of Hadley, MA and nieces Janet Barrett and Lillian Billewicz and nephews, Harold Chadwick and Robert Billewicz. Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster Street, Melrose, MA on Friday, December 7, 2007 from 4-8 pm. Services will be at the First Baptist Church of Medford, 29 Oakland Street, Medford, MA Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 10:00 am followed by interment at the Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Leukemia Society in Bill’s memory.