William H. Eklund

SUTTON – William H. Eklund, 98, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 24th in his home surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness.

Bill leaves two sons, Paul W. Eklund and his wife, Patti of Sutton and Richard W. Eklund and his wife, Hilary of Brandon, FL; a daughter, Nancy A. Ryan of Sutton; three grandchildren, John Eklund of N. Grosvenordale, CT, Nicole Ryan and her significant other Shawn Lussier of Sutton, and Mark Ryan and his wife Kaelly of Holyoke; two great grandsons Cooper Lussier and Jack Ryan. He is predeceased by his parents, Henry and Flora (Meyer) Eklund, his wife, June (Wennerstrand) Eklund, and his son Donald W. Eklund.

Bill was a graduate of South High School, Clark University and WPI School of Industrial Management. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Naval Air Corps from 1944-1946. Bill worked at Johnson Steel & Wire Co as VP of Manufacturing, New England High Carbon and Wire Company as Plant Manager and Riverdale Mills as Manager of Manufacturing. He was a former Trustee at Millbury Savings Bank. 

Bill enjoyed Atlantic Salmon Fishing, sailing, golf, tennis and biking well into his 80’s. Bill was a former Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball Coach in Sutton. He was a devoted Sutton High School sports fan over the past 5 decades. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with family on the shores of Lake Manchaug at a home his family built when he was only 2.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bill’s life by gathering for a time of visitation on Sunday, March 2nd from 3 to 5 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street in Millbury. 

His funeral service will be celebrated on Monday, March 3rd at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with burial to follow in West Sutton Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to VNACare Hospice 67 Millbrook St., 500 North, Worcester, MA 01606 or www.vnacare.org or Manchaug Pond Foundation Inc. PO Box 154, Manchaug, MA, MA 01526 or www.manchaugpond.org  

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If you would like to send flowers to these services Mulhane Home for Funerals recommends contacting a local florist directly.

Local Florist:

Floral Boutique 508-754-5637 www.floralboutiquemillbury.com 

 Posies N Presents 508-581-4164 www.posiesnpresents.com