William Tuttle Jr.

William E. Tuttle Jr., 79

BARRE - William E. "Bill" Tuttle Jr., 79, left this world on Saturday January 13, 2018 at home with his wife Anne at his side.

He was the son of William E. Tuttle and Olive Hinkley Tuttle. He was born in Barre, MA on December 24, 1938 in a humble Summer Camp with no plumbing or electricity, on Farmington Rd. One of three children raised by a hardworking mother, he attended school in Barre and graduated from Worcester Boys Trade High School in 1956. During his senior year of trade school, he worked at Reed Roll Thread Die in Holden in addition to serving as a member of the US Coast Guard Reserves. In 1957 Bill enlisted in the US Air Force and later that year married his high school sweetheart, Anne Kowza. They were married 59 years in November of 2017. Bill is the father of four sons, William E. Tuttle III, Michael J. Tuttle (wife Sandy), Mark A. Tuttle (wife Diana), and David H. Tuttle (wife Rebecca), and the adoring grandfather of eight, Oliva, Michael, Evan, Christopher, Sidney, Julia, Thomas, and Benjamin. He also leaves a sister Susan Giarusso and was predeceased by a brother David.

The first eight years of his military career, Bill was an airplane mechanic and spent the remaining eighteen years as an aircrew member. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and flew reconnaissance in the Lockheed EC-121 before transitioning to Flight Engineer on C-141s and later C-130s while stationed in New Jersey and North Carolina, respectively. After retiring from the Air Force in 1983, Bill and his family returned to Barre where he continued to be involved in the community. Shortly after returning to Barre, he became a member of the Barre Town Finance Committee, volunteered as a commissioner for more than ten years at St. Joseph's Cemetery, and worked as a carpenter building homes with Kenneth Ware in the Boylston area while building a home for his family on Wauwinet Rd. in Barre. While living on Wauwinet Rd, Bill enjoyed working for WR Robinson Lumber Co until his retirement in 2001. In 2003 Bill once again started construction on a new home on Wauwinet Rd. for Anne and himself. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking and would spend hours in his shop where he would create beautiful furniture, often giving his pieces to local churches or even to strangers that he would meet. He also liked to spend his time doing research regarding his family's genealogical history and as a result was a proud member of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants.

All are invited to gather and support his family at calling hours, Friday January 19, 2018 from 4 - 7pm in Pillsbury Funeral Home 96 S. Barre Rd, Barre. The funeral Mass for Bill will be celebrated on Saturday at 10am in St. Joseph's Church South St. in Barre. Burial will follow with full Military Honors in the parish cemetery. Those attending the Mass are respectfully asked to meet at the church. Donations may be made in his name to St.Josephs Church 29 South St. Barre,MA.01005 or St Augustines Mission 52 Church St. Gilbertville, MA.01031. An online guest book for condolences and to share memories please visit:

Pillsburyfuneralhome.com