William E. Locke

William E. Locke, aged 104, a longtime resident of Reading, North Reading and most recently Brooksby Village in Peabody, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Everett on October 7, 1921, Bill was the cherished son of the late Frederick and Anastasia (O'Hearn) Locke. He was raised in Everett.

Bill married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Breslow of Lynn in 1955 on St. Patrick's Day. They shared 59 beautiful years, raising six children, until her passing in 2014. Bill often said he was so lucky to have met Barbara and that marrying her was the best decision he ever made.

A dedicated educator, Bill retired as industrial arts teacher at McCall Junior High School in Winchester in 1984. He previously taught at Medford High. He was respected and loved by thousands of students who affectionately called him "Mr. Locke."

He served the Town of Reading for more than 25 years in various roles including as member of the Board of Assessors and Finance Committee. His passion for golf led him to become a longstanding member for more than 60 years at Thomson Country Club in North Reading. He served two terms on the club's board of directors, the first "to straighten things out" and then second after "his successors messed up again." Bill and Barbara later moved to The Greens condominium complex where they continued to participate in the club's social and golf activities. After resigning from the club in 1987, he was awarded lifetime honorary member status.

One of his most memorable accomplishments as a competitor was winning the club's 1967 Fall Four Ball Championship. He represented the club regularly in the popular Lynn Item Pro-Am Championship. In a testament to his beloved sport, he and Barbara participated in countless parent-child golf tournaments and was the oldest player to participate in the Winchester Country Club Father Son Tournament at the age of 100. He also volunteered at many golf championships including the 1988 US Open and 1999 Ryder Cup.

Bill and Barbara shared their love of golf, sports and various activities with their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. They never missed any of our games or activities. You could always count on him to offer "advice" after practices and games. He will be remembered for his devotion to family and was constantly urging his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to "do your best." He would be the first to tell you he holds the distinction of never losing a putting match against his kids because of the change he would jingle in his pocket.

An avid pool player, Bill continued to play on a daily basis until recently with his dear friends at Brooksby Village. During his time at Brooksby, he made many friends and was an inspiration to residents and staff alike. He also loved working on jigsaw puzzles every day with another dear friend at Brooksby, Claire Markham.

A graduate of Everett High School, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II and proudly served as a Navy mechanic for three years. He served primarily in England and Northern Ireland. He was in San Francisco waiting to be deployed to the Pacific Theater when Japan finally surrendered in September, 1945.

He returned home and enrolled at State Teachers College at Fitchburg, earning an industrial arts degree in 1949. He later earned a master's degree at Salem State University. In 2017 and 2019, he was honored with the Fitchburg State University's prestigious Gold Key award for longtime alumni.

He was a skilled carpenter and furniture maker and an avid reader. He and Barbara loved to travel and made trips to Alaska, Paris, Bermuda, Arizona, Ireland, Scotland, England and Florida, often playing a few rounds of golf along the way, including at the famed Pebble Beach golf links on the Monterey Peninsula in California and The Old Course at St. Andrew's in Scotland.

He is survived by his beloved children, William E. Locke Jr. and his wife Kim of Gloucester, Anne Marie Tobin and her husband James of Lynnfield, Susan Gallagher of Amesbury, David Locke and his wife Mimi of Manchester by the Sea, Timothy Locke and his wife Beth of Winchester, and Mary Snow and her husband John of Winchester. He is also survived by his adoring grandchildren, William Locke, Abby Tobin and her husband Alex Bettina, Haley DaSilva and her husband Gesiel, Kelly Gallagher, Peter Locke, Christiana Locke, Teddy Locke, Brendan Locke, John Snow IV and his fiancée Molly Mizusawa, Brigham Snow, and Cameron Snow. He was predeceased by his grandson Billy Gallagher. He is also survived by great grandchildren Penelope and Miles DaSilva; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

He is survived by his sister, Katherine Cella, and was predeceased by his brothers, Frederick Locke and Wallace Locke, and sisters, Helen Sampson and Muriel Grange.

Bill will be missed by all those who crossed his path. His kindness, generosity and spirit will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind.

His Funeral will be held in the Brooksby Village Chapel in the MacIntosh building in Peabody on Tuesday, March 3 at 11 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Monday, March 2 from 3-6 p.m. Interment will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Reading.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Mass Golf Youth Fund in Norton, MA.