William F. Ames

NAPLES - On February 22, 2026, William F. Ames, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, light, and many tears. Bill was born in Woburn, Mass. to the late William F. Ames and Gertrude M. (Linscott).

He is survived by the love of his life, Annie Ames, with whom he shared the happiest years of his life. He is also survived by his daughter Christina and her sons Jacob Caras and Robert Ames; his daughter Pamela (Radgowski), spouse Todd, and their children Zachary, Callan, and Evangeline; stepchildren Jane Abell, Kendra and Melissa Boccelli, Katie Grote and Bob Sawyer, Kyle and Teanna Grote, Tom Grote and Rick Neal, 15 step-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren. He also is survived by four of his sisters: Mary, Carolyn, Dorothy, and Joan, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and beloved sister Julene.

Bill attended Woburn schools, graduating in 1962. He gained his engineering credentials with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers of Boston. He was a natural engineer and true tinkerer. He especially loved space and physics, which he described as "easy" and "fun." He often took his girls to watch NASA space shuttle launches in Florida when they were small, inspiring wonder and curiosity. He worked at the Avco-Everett Research Laboratory in the late 80s and early 90s. Bill then joined MIT's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he worked in the Gas Turbine Laboratory. In 2002, he retired from MIT and began his second career as an avid Florida retiree. In this chapter of his life, he loved golf, swimming, music, fixing things, and driving old ladies to the airport. He loved admiring his sea-view perch in Naples and spending time with the multitude of friends and family that surrounded him.

He will be missed deeply, and we look forward to a full celebration of life on April 12 in Naples. Donations in Bill's memory can be made to Avow Hospice Care.