William F. Reade Jr of Yarmouth, MA passed away on August 8, 2026 at the age of 88. He was born in 1938 to Palma (Martignetti) Reade and William F Reade, Sr. He was the eldest of 8 siblings. He grew up in Roxbury, MA and graduated from Boston Technical High in 1955. He was proud to have been both an altar boy with the Catholic Church as well as a Boy Scout.
 
Bill met the love of his life, Joanna (Crosby) Reade at 16 years old and they were married six years later on August 26, 1961. Their 65-year marriage was full of love and devotion for each other and their family. They enjoyed traveling in the US and internationally. They owned homes in Brockton, Dorchester, Braintree, Eastham, Dennis, And Yarmouth where, as a skilled carpenter, he loved to take on projects big and small.
 
Bill took great pride in his military career and his education. He joined the Army at 17 as an enlisted soldier in the National Guard. He later Commissioned in the Army Reserves where he faithfully completed over 25 years of service retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He also went on to get his master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts in 1985 and taught at the Cardinal Cushing School.
 
He was a lifelong entrepreneur and owned multiple businesses throughout his life. He owned several service stations as a car mechanic where he specialized in Citroens. In his 50s, Bill and Joanna owned and ran the Eagle Wing Motel and the Anchorage on the Cove Cottages in Eastham. He also worked for the National Seashore, completing multiple restoration projects.
 
He was immensely charitable and incredibly social, joining multiple clubs and organizations. He was a Mason for over 50 years and was past Master at both Adelphi Lodge of Quincy and Universal Lodge in Orleans. He helped found charitable foundations such as the Masonic Angel Fund with programs like Laptop for KidZ. He was also a member of the Elks Club in Eastham and the American Legion in Orleans.
 
Bill was an avid model train collector from the age of 5 and loved to create elaborate model railway layouts. He enjoyed playing chess and checkers frequently. He loved to dance, especially with his wife and his late daughter, Debbie. Bill will be remembered for his strong sense of justice, his litigious endeavors and his dry sense of humor.
 
He was predeceased by his daughter, Deborah Reade-Kochka, and his siblings Ann-Marie Reade, Paul Reade, and Ralph Reade.
 
He is survived by his devoted wife, Joanna (Crosby) Reade; his daughter, Donna Nielsen; his granddaughters, Michaela Kochka and Ketryn Rose (Michael); and his great-granddaughter, Emery Rose. He is also survived by his siblings, Palma McLaughlin (Gene), Ronald Reade (Mary), Carol McLaughlin (Richard), and Judy Martignetti. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loved ones. 
 
All services will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Visitation will be held starting at 9:00am at Hallett Funeral Home at 273 Station Ave, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00pm at St. Pius Church, 98 Station Ave, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. There will be a burial service at Bourne National Cemetery at 2pm. Reception will be held at 2:30 with location to follow.
 
In lieu of flowers we request donations be made to The Masonic Education and Charity Trust at https://massfreemasonry.org/donate/ or Our Military Kids at https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/.

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