Vincent "Bill" J. Purple

What can you say about a man who was larger than life? Someone with twinkling blue eyes who made friends everywhere throughout his 100 years? Someone who greeted everyone with a smile and shared his wisdom and stories. Bill Purple lived life to the fullest and brought joy to all those who knew him. 

Bill passed away peacefully in his home in Petersham, surrounded by his family on October 26, 2024. Born in Athol as Vincent J. Piepol, Bill was the son of Polish immigrants and the youngest of 6 siblings. He met the love of his life, Helen, and married her in 1951. At that time, he legally changed his name to Purple and they were married for 60 years until Helen’s passing in 2011.

Bill began work at the age of 14 at the Union Twist Drill Company in Athol and worked in the mail room. Little did he know that he would work in that building for the next 80 years! A defining point in his life was at 17 years old when he had his Mother sign his permission slip to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corp to serve in WWII. 

Bill rapidly advanced through the ranks becoming a Captain at age 20 and was assigned to serve in the 8th Air Force, 379th Bomb Group, based in Kimbolton, England. Bill was a B-17 Pilot and flew 35 bombing missions from England to Germany, often serving as lead pilot of the squadron. He served through the end of WWII and stayed in the Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard until 1951. Bill was awarded the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross as his planes sustained severe damage during 4 missions to Germany. In 2013, in the shadow of a visiting B-17 bomber at Orange Airport, Bill was awarded France’s Legion of Honor Medal for his service in defense of France. Throughout the 1980s-1990s, Bill was active in the 379th Bomb Group Association planning and attending reunions, and served as it’s President for 2 years.

Bill would always light up with joy whenever someone asked about his days in the Service. His ability to retain facts, figures and events about his Service was a gift that he shared in countless presentations at schools, WWII events at museums and throughout New England, and on Zoom calls with people from around the US and even from Europe. And he told many a story at local restaurants over breakfast or dinner to people passing by.

Bill’s time in the Air Force was a tremendous source of pride for him, but he was so much more. As a Father, he helped Helen raise two children, Phil and Cindy. As a businessman, he advanced from the mail room at the Union Twist Drill into a management position responsible for Shipping and Distribution. Then at 62, he became an entrepreneur and purchased the Union Twist Drill building where he became the President of the L.P. Athol Corporation and worked there for 32 more years until the building was sold in 2018 when he retired at 94! In Service to the community, he served as the President of the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, member of the Petersham Finance Committee for 19 years, Petersham Selectman, and President of the Athol Veterans Park Development Corporation which built the Athol Veterans Park in downtown Athol in the late 90’s. As an athlete, he was the first life guard at Silver Lake in Athol in the 1940s, was an avid golfer and served as the President of the Petersham Country Club and he was a founding member of the Petersham Curling where he excelled at the sport which he played for over 30 years.

Bill’s legacy will live on as his military experiences have been captured on video countless times. His most recent recording was for the Library of Congress when in May 2024, at 100 years old, he made the trip to Washington D.C. to serve as one of the Grand Marshalls in the National Memorial Day Parade. A Google search of “Bill Purple B-17” will bring up many videos and news articles that are now preserved for the education and enjoyment of future generations.

Bill is survived by his son Phil Purple and wife Anne Roy of Phillipston, and his daughter Cindy Hartwell and husband Chuck of New Salem. Bill’s grandchildren are Paula DiDiego and her husband Robert of Orange; Christina Newland and her husband Scott of Naperville, IL; Tarna Genovese and her partner John Stasukelis of Phillipston, and Gina Madden and her husband Joseph of Charlestown, MA. Bill also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews, and great grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 1 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Road, Orange, MA. On Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m., there will be a short service also at Fiske-Murphy & Mack, followed by the burial at the West Street Cemetery in Petersham, MA at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome.