William D. Griffin

William D. Griffin, of Essex, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, surrounded by his family after over a five-year battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was the husband of Donna (Marshall) Griffin, with whom he shared 28 years of marriage.
Born in Gloucester, William was one of 7 children, primarily growing up in Lanesville. After graduating from Gloucester High School, Bill went on to become a Sergeant in the United States Air Force. Later returning to Gloucester, he started his 26-year career with the Gloucester Fire Department.
Bill loved camping, starting early with his girls and continued to full-time RV living with his wife Donna after retirement. Family time was very important to Bill, loving
every summer cookout, every trip to Connecticut, and to Arizona. You could find the biggest smile on his face when playing Santa Claus every Christmas Eve for the ever-growing family Christmas Party. Later in life Bill fell in love with playing golf, playing weekly with his buds at the Cape Ann Golf Club. Living his dream of traveling the country, he saw so many beautiful places and met so many people while wintering in Florida. It was Bill and Donna's dream come true. He was also known to many, not just to his family, as "Uncle Bill" especially by his wonderful group of nurses at the Cancer Center at Addison Gilbert Hospital
In addition to his wife Donna, William is survived by his children, Elizabeth Adams (David) of Goodyear, Arizona and Pamela Eshenfelder (Scott) of Waterford, Connecticut; his stepchildren, Laurie Dye of Ocala, Florida, Jackie Duquette (Al) of Peabody; grandchildren, Hannah Eshenfelder, Austin Eshenfelder, Logan Adams, Cameron Duquette, Johnathan Duquette, Tyler Martin, Tory Martin, Joycelyn Forgette; great-grandchildren, Gwen Martin, Dylan Martin, and Theo Chappell William; sisters, Diane Lynette of Florida, Jean Cecilio (Joe), Cathy Guertner (Tom); brother, Jim Griffin (Barbara); and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert (Gus) Griffin and sister, Nancy Josephson, and stepdaughter, Allison Martin.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 10 to 12 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. in Dolliver Memorial Cemetery in Gloucester. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.