William F. Gleason Sr.

William "Bill" Frederick Gleason, 71, of Templeton, a man whose life was as spirited and vibrant as the roar of his favorite motorcycle died on Monday, July 22nd, 2024, after succumbing to injuries from doing what he loved to do – riding one of his three motorcycles. Born on January 28, 1953, in Leominster, MA, Bill's life was an adventure that ended too soon. His life journey took him from where he was raised on Leland Ave. in Leominster, to Fitchburg, to Seattle WA., to Gardner, and finally, in 2017 to Templeton, Massachusetts, in where he made his home. Bill was a lover of all things fast and loud; whether it was motorcycles, antique cars, or the thrill of the hunt for a new gun, he lived life on his terms. Bill is a United States Navy Veteran serving from July 1972 - January 1973. He was also a member of the Templeton, and Royalston, Fish & Game Clubs.

 Bill was a loyal man; to his wife Jill Gleason, whom he married on November 28, 1992, to his children Adesholla Gionet, William Jr., and Shawn Gleason. As a husband, father, and laborer, Bill was as dependable as the sunrise. If he was needed, he was there. Despite his struggles with academics and literacy, he found his strengths in hands-on work and was a hard worker through his retirement from Laddawn, in 2008. If Bill had a mantra, it was the phrase he used to tell his children all the time, "Keep your nose clean," which was his way of telling us to stay out of trouble and work hard.

Bill was not just a hardworking man; he was also incredibly funny. His stint as a bouncer for a nightclub gave him a treasure trove of amusing stories that he loved to share. You could always depend on a Christmas morning breakfast story, where Bill spared no details of his 'wilder' days. He was also a loving and generous family man, especially to his four grandchildren: Nicholas & Alaina Gionet, and Collin & Adrianna Welch, as well as his great granddaughter, Carmen Saulnier. His love for his many dogs over the years was legendary, but Chloe was his favorite.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Jill, his three devoted children Adesholla and her husband Michael, William Jr., and Shawn and her partner Larie plus her two children, two sisters Becky Valcourt and her husband Bill, and Ruth Gleason; four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, nieces, nephews, and their children. He now joins his parents, Frederick and Ruth Gleason, and his brother Donald Gleason, in the next phase of the journey.

As we celebrate Bill's life, we also remember the last nine days he fought hard for his life, before succumbing to his countless injuries. We take comfort in knowing his loved ones surrounded him and stayed with him until the end. He was loved, and will always be loved, and greatly missed. We encourage those who knew and loved William to leave memories and upload photos to the memorial page.

As we bid adieu to William "Bill" Gleason, let's remember him not with tears but with laughter. Let's share the funny stories he told, let's embark on adventures like he did, and let's love our family like he loved his. As we gather to honor his life on Monday, July 29, 2024, at 11:00 am at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, let's celebrate the life of a man who was as loving as he was spirited. 

Family and friends of family are invited for light refreshments after the service at Templeton Fish & Game, Club Road Templeton, MA 01468, from 12:00pm -3:00pm.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, Melissa A. McQuaid, Funeral Directors.