William T. "Bill" Kenison

William T. Kenison (“Bill”), age 94, a longtime resident of Melrose died peacefully on February 9, 2026 with his daughter Laura, his son Tom and son in law Peter by his side. Bill was born on November 26, 1931 in Everett, MA to the late Elmer and Florence (Pettitt) Kenison where he was the middle child to brother Elmer (Roy) and sister Joan, both deceased. He was raised in Everett and was a graduate of Malden Catholic High School and as he would like to tell people he was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln University.

Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17 and served during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan during his tour of duty. After his tour was completed, he returned to Everett and began working for New England Telephone as a technician where he spent over 40 years of his career in various positions working on residential and commercial telephone systems. He enjoyed a second career at A.W. Chesterton Company in Stoneham and Groveland where he enjoyed his second career until he retired at the age of 85. He enjoyed traveling with his wife across the country and Europe where they met many new lifelong friends. He and his wife enjoyed ballroom dancing and dining out at many of their favorite local restaurants with friends and family. He was a long-time member of Mount Hood Golf Course in Melrose where he had an early morning weekend tee time with his golf buddies. Aside from his great sense of humor Bill had a passion for poetry and was an avid reader of many types of books. He loved to recite Shakespeare sonnets and was always happy to recite one of his favorite sonnets or poems in hopes to inspire another person’s interest in poetry. Bill was always available for his family and enjoyed helping neighbors or friends when needed.

He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (Stuffle)Kenison. He was the loving father of Laura Maher and her husband Peter Maher of Wakefield, Tom Kenison and his wife Susan Taylor of Newbury, MA. He was the grandfather of Julia Rosengarten and Alex Rosengarten of Wakefield, MA.

Visiting hours will be on Monday, February 16, 2026 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster Street, Melrose. A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Church, 71 Central Street, Stoneham. Please go directly to church for Bill’s Funeral Mass. Interment will follow at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan Street, Melrose. Family & Friend’s respectfully invited to attend.