William M. Joyce

William M. Joyce
October 26, 1957 – August 12, 2025
William M. Joyce, age 67, a resident of Tewksbury for 33 years, formerly of Cambridge, passed away at home in the care of his loving family on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
He was the most beloved husband of Eileen Angela (Ferguson) Joyce. They spent 50 years together, 45 of them in marriage. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Billy Jr. and his husband Brian Considine of Methuen, Jeff and his wife Emily of Gloucester, Maggie (Joyce) Moro and her husband Leo of Haverhill, and Tommy and his wife Stephanie of Salem, NH, and his grandchildren Keiley of Gloucester and Nora, Annie and Theo of Salem, NH.
Bill's greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who lovingly called him Grampy. He was the best swing-pusher and spent many hours on the floor playing with toys and reading books with them. He was the family handyman and could fix almost anything. He was known to be generous with doling out the chocolate too.
He shared a love of cars, especially Cadillacs, with his son Billy, both took a ride-along in a race car as a birthday present. Grampy was often watching "car shows" on TV. He passed on his skill with tools to all of his children, but especially to Jeff, who he took pride in seeing build on to his own home and his creativity in construction. Maggie and her Dad did so much together, including jumping out of a plane. She held such a special place in his heart as his only girl, walking her down the aisle and anticipating his new grand baby due in January. He and Tommy rebuilt a 1980 Chevy Monte Carlo together and he helped renovate and build Tommy's first barbershop. He always looked great after a haircut from his personal barber. He was extremely proud of all of his children.
Bill and Eileen met as teenagers and grew up together in Cambridge. When their family was young they moved out of the city to Tewksbury where they raised their children. Bill generously shared his home with his mother-in-law Janet until her passing in 2014. He planned and put together annual family reunion cookouts for many years, creating lots of memories with Eileen's extended family. Bill was diligent at taking care of his home, his yard and especially his family. He was Eileen's and his family's everything, and our hearts are broken that he has left us.
Born and raised in Cambridge, he was the son of the late John J. Joyce and the late Mildred J. (Leaman) Joyce.
He graduated from Rindge Technical High School and was employed by the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory in Cambridge for almost 25 years as a electrical/mechanical technician and supervisor. He then worked for many years as a driver for various companies in the Merrimack Valley.
He was the brother of John Simpkins and his partner Laurie of S. Weymouth, James Simpkins and his wife Elaine of Townsend, Donald Simpkins and his wife Linda of Salem, NH, Patricia Benson and her late husband James of Cambridge, Kathleen Joyce and her wife Ellen of Cambridge, and Gregory Logan and his wife Donna of Taunton. He leaves his lifelong friend, Keith Pearson, of Wilmington, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Family and friends will be received on Sunday, August 17, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 18, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to House of Hope, 812 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01854, https://houseofhopelowell.org/donate-now/, or a charity of your choice.