Obituary for William F. "Bill" Westerlind Sr.
William F. “Bill” Westerlind, Sr., 88, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester.
A faithful husband and father, he leaves his beloved wife of 66 years, Patricia M. (Casey) Westerlind; their four sons, William F. “Bill” Westerlind Jr., and his wife Ellen of Westfield, Wayne F. Westerlind and his wife Darla of Reno, NV, Kevin D. Westerlind and his wife Sheila of Mattapoisett and Stephen D. Westerlind and his wife Lynne of Auburn; twelve grandchildren, Brian, Kari, Kristy, Kacie, Kourtney, Kylie, Kyle, Kevin Jr., Brooke, Katherine, Abigail and Patrick; nine great grandchildren, Wyatt, Gatlon, Briggs, Addison, Gage, Madelyn, Nathan, Tyler, and Evelyn; a brother, Paul Westerlind and his companion Cynthia of Norton a sister, Barbara Middleton and her husband Vernon of Amarillo, TX; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bill was born in Millbury and raised in Worcester, one of three children of the late William Westerlind and Nellie D. (Zolnowski) Westerlind. He graduated from South High School, Class of 1952. After high school, Bill enlisted and served his country proudly with United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. After finishing his four-year tour with the Marines, he continued to serve the nation in the USMC Reserves while working full time and attending Worcester Junior College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Associates in Business in 1962. Bill was accepted in the Business Administration Program at Clark University, where he played on the Baseball team for several years, graduating with his B.A. degree in Business Administration in 1965.
He also earned and maintained several certifications such as an IBM Accounting Technical Certification in 1957, an Insurance Studies Certificate from the American Mutual Insurance Alliance in 1967; Leadership Management Certificates in 1986 and 1991. Bill also was a Licensed Real Estate Broker in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bill spent his entire professional career of 41 years, as a dedicated employee of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which later was acquired by Harleysville Mutual Ins Co. and Nationwide Mutual Ins Co. He started in 1957, as an IBM Data Processing Operator, working through many positions throughout the years, he succeeded to the title of Vice President - Administration and Treasurer when he retired in 1998.
In his free time, Bill was a very faithful member at his home parish of Saint Joseph’s Church in Auburn where he was an Extraordinary Minister, as well as a lector at the early Sunday Masses. He was also active in the Auburn Community years ago, as a member of the Finance Committee, the new High School Committee, he was the Treasurer for the Woodland Water District and was deeply involved in the Auburn Little League for many years.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bill’s family on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 5-7 PM in the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 10 AM at Saint Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford St North, Auburn. Burial will be held privately for his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Bill’s preferred organizations, Auburn Youth & Family Services Inc. 21 Pheasant Court, Auburn, MA (https://www.ayfs.org/).
A faithful husband and father, he leaves his beloved wife of 66 years, Patricia M. (Casey) Westerlind; their four sons, William F. “Bill” Westerlind Jr., and his wife Ellen of Westfield, Wayne F. Westerlind and his wife Darla of Reno, NV, Kevin D. Westerlind and his wife Sheila of Mattapoisett and Stephen D. Westerlind and his wife Lynne of Auburn; twelve grandchildren, Brian, Kari, Kristy, Kacie, Kourtney, Kylie, Kyle, Kevin Jr., Brooke, Katherine, Abigail and Patrick; nine great grandchildren, Wyatt, Gatlon, Briggs, Addison, Gage, Madelyn, Nathan, Tyler, and Evelyn; a brother, Paul Westerlind and his companion Cynthia of Norton a sister, Barbara Middleton and her husband Vernon of Amarillo, TX; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bill was born in Millbury and raised in Worcester, one of three children of the late William Westerlind and Nellie D. (Zolnowski) Westerlind. He graduated from South High School, Class of 1952. After high school, Bill enlisted and served his country proudly with United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. After finishing his four-year tour with the Marines, he continued to serve the nation in the USMC Reserves while working full time and attending Worcester Junior College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Associates in Business in 1962. Bill was accepted in the Business Administration Program at Clark University, where he played on the Baseball team for several years, graduating with his B.A. degree in Business Administration in 1965.
He also earned and maintained several certifications such as an IBM Accounting Technical Certification in 1957, an Insurance Studies Certificate from the American Mutual Insurance Alliance in 1967; Leadership Management Certificates in 1986 and 1991. Bill also was a Licensed Real Estate Broker in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bill spent his entire professional career of 41 years, as a dedicated employee of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which later was acquired by Harleysville Mutual Ins Co. and Nationwide Mutual Ins Co. He started in 1957, as an IBM Data Processing Operator, working through many positions throughout the years, he succeeded to the title of Vice President - Administration and Treasurer when he retired in 1998.
In his free time, Bill was a very faithful member at his home parish of Saint Joseph’s Church in Auburn where he was an Extraordinary Minister, as well as a lector at the early Sunday Masses. He was also active in the Auburn Community years ago, as a member of the Finance Committee, the new High School Committee, he was the Treasurer for the Woodland Water District and was deeply involved in the Auburn Little League for many years.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bill’s family on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 5-7 PM in the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 10 AM at Saint Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford St North, Auburn. Burial will be held privately for his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Bill’s preferred organizations, Auburn Youth & Family Services Inc. 21 Pheasant Court, Auburn, MA (https://www.ayfs.org/).