William Lucien Greth Lester Jr.

1943 - 2022

William Lucien Greth Lester, Jr of Weekapaug, Rhode Island and Hobe Sound, Florida died at his home in Weekapaug on May 12, 2022 with his loving wife of 50 years, Susan P. Lester by his side. Bill, son of William L.G. Lester and Anita Moraweck Lester, was born in Orange, NJ on April 25th, 1943. He grew up in Short Hills New Jersey, graduated from Vermont Academy in 1961, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1965. He was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1969. Following his time in the Navy, he received an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. Bill enjoyed a successful career in corporate finance at Paine Webber and Shawmut Bank in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. He shifted his career to investment management in the 1990's when he founded Performance Plus Capital.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his children Kristin, Greth and Sam, their spouses Joel, Deirdre, and Carrie, and his six grandchildren Anna, Sam, Rogan, Macklin, Claire and Mary. He is also survived by his sisters Mary McCormack and Janet Gefaell and nine nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Anita Carey.

Bill met Sue in Weekapaug and they married in September of 1971. They raised their family in Wellesley, MA and spent summers and weekends in Shelter Harbor and Weekapaug. He nurtured his kids through coaching their sports teams, building a hockey rink in the yard and teaching them to race sailboats. He passed his love of the ocean, sailing and fishing on to his kids through creating and participating in endless family adventures. Bill's unwavering love of Sue and their rock-solid marriage was the most cherished lesson he passed on to his children. He was always happiest when his family (often up to 40 with cousins) was celebrating holidays, weddings or anniversaries together. He frequently talked about how lucky he was because of the happiness and health of his kids and grandkids. With warm hearts, his family will remember his love of tinkering around the house and an unending lawn mowing project.

A fixture in Weekapaug for decades, Bill served as Treasurer and Moderator of the Weekapaug Fire District, Director of The Salt Ponds Coalition and The Nopes Island Conservation Association, Commodore of the Weekapaug Yacht Club, and Founding Member and Treasurer of the Weekapaug Golf Club. Bill was a member of the Loblolly Club in Hobe Sound, FL where he served as Commodore of the Yacht Club. He was a member of the Watch Hill Yacht Club where he competed in his Watch Hill 15, Tsana. He had an eager list of talented and beloved crew, but he was happiest with his bride at his side. Bill enjoyed tennis and golf throughout his life and he was an avid sports fan supporting all teams Boston. He was recognized and valued throughout the community for his good judgement, thoughtful advice, and kindness to all.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salt Ponds Coalition, PO Box 875, Charlestown, RI 02813.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday June 17th at 11AM at the Watch Hill Chapel, Watch Hill, RI. Reception to follow at the Weekapaug Golf Club, 265 Shore Rd. Westerly, RI.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com