William R. Savage Jr.

William R. Savage, Jr. ("Bill"), 89, passed away on September 27, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Elaine M. Savage (Mulvey) who passed away only three months earlier on June 27, 2025. They were married for over 66 years. Bill was the son of the late William R. and Mary A. (Carr) Savage. He was a life-long Warwick resident who grew up in Oakland Beach. Even after he moved to Hoxsie, he still considered it his home and took at least weekly drives through the neighborhood until the end of his life.

He leaves his two loving sons and a loving daughter and their spouses, and grandchildren: Robert E. Savage and his wife, Neena, and their children and his grandchildren Nicholas and his wife, Erin, and Natasha; Richard J. Savage and his wife, Michelyn; and Diane Savage White and her husband, Jason, and their children and his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Alexander. He also leaves his son Kevin W. Savage and his wife Diane and their children and his grandchildren Liam and Tara, with whom he longed to have contact with over the last decades of his life.

He was the brother of the late: Joseph Savage (his loving and still living wife, Mildred "Milley"); Dorothy Bonney; Esther Hood; Charles Anderson; and Judith George. He was that last surviving sibling. Bill also leaves his brother-in law, Gerald Mulvey and his wife, Trudy. Additionally, he leaves many nephews and nieces, including Sandra Savage Glode ("Sandi"), William Savage ("Billy"), Brian Mulvey, and Jill Mulvey Mattison. He was a devoted son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend and the loyal and passionate patriarch of the Savage family.

Bill's life was grounded in loyalty and commitment. If you were his son, daughter, grandchild, friend or relative you knew that he did not seek out emotional support for himself from others but was there for you when you needed him. He visited his parents daily in their old age. Bill went to all of his children's activities and let them know that he was enthusiastic in supporting their choices in what they wanted to do with their lives. He was a great son and father.

Bill served in the military, first in active service in Marine Corps from 1953-1955, including a tour in Korea, then in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1955-1963, then in the Army Reserve from 1976-1992 in the 455th General Hospital and he finally fully retired in 1996 as a Seargeant First Class (SFC)(E-7).

Bill loved his civilian job as a barber. He gave his first haircut in 1958 and his last one in March 2024. He spent most of his career at the Naval Exchange at Quonset Point, North Kingstown, RI (1962 to 1974) and West Shore Barber Salon, after working part-time for it while he also worked at the Naval Exchange, full-time from 1976 to 2009. He tried to retire in 2009 but some of his customers continued to seek him out and he continued to give a few haircuts every month at his home until March 2024. He gave the limited proceeds he received from these in-home haircuts to his grandchildren. His children and grandchildren ran into people on a weekly basis that told them of the fond memories they had of Bill.

Bill and his wife dedicated their retirement years to being involved in every facet of the lives of their grandchildren Nicholas, Natasha, Beth, and Alex. They went to their grandchildren's dance recitals, figure skating contests, lacrosse and field hockey games, and scouting achievement recognition meetings. They were especially enthusiastic fans of their grandchildren's baseball, softball, and hockey teams and would attend the games whether they were local or in distant locations all over New England and New York. They would count down the days until baseball/softball and hockey seasons started. They were wonderful grandparents.

In his memory, his family will try to continue to live by Bill and his wife's example of love, loyalty, passion for, and devotion to family.

Bill's Funeral will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Saints Rose & Clement Church, 111 Long Street, Warwick, R.I. Interment will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours at Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home will be on Friday October 3, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.