William Leighton Greathead

William Leighton Greathead, born April 16, 1961, left us too early on February 28, 2021. Bill was born in Lowell, MA to his late parents, Fredrick K. and Sandra L. (Leighton) Greathead. Bill has lived in Pepperell for 37 years, where he and his wife Mary Beth raised their four boys.

Bill graduated from Greater Lowell Voke in 1979 and was an electrician before he found his true calling as a police officer. He started as an auxiliary officer in June 1985, which then led to him becoming a part-time officer until he was hired on full-time in November 1992. Helping people was what Bill did. There was no one he would not help. He retired as Sergeant in 2017.

After retiring, Bill decided to serve the town in a different way and ran for Selectman. He was elected in April of 2018. He was not a politician - he was an open book. You knew what he was thinking because he would tell you, leaving no question. He loved fiercely and honestly. Everyone was a friend.

As great of a person and police officer he was, he was an even better husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, Godfather, cousin, and friend. Family was everything. He coached his boys in their younger years and loved being a part of all things involving them. Their friends all knew his voice on the sidelines as one that loved them all.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Beth (Mann) Greathead. They would have been married 40 years in October. He is also survived by four sons, Christopher Greathead of Pepperell MA, Brian Greathead and his wife Danielle (Newell) Greathead of Townsend MA, Evan Greathead and his fiancé Kristin Bettencourt of New Ipswich NH, and Tyler Greathead and his wife Sarah (Lieneck) Greathead of Gardner MA. Tyler and Sarah are expecting their first child together, a baby girl, Leighton J. Greathead, that Bill was very excited to tell anyone and everyone about.

Bill is also survived by his brother Fred Greathead and his wife Roxanne Greathead; His Godson and Nephew, Kenneth Greathead and his wife Laura Greathead; his Goddaughter and Great-Niece, Madalee “Maddie” Selvelowitz; his mother-in-law, Winifred Mann; brother-in-law Harold and his wife Jo Ann Mann; sisters-in-law, Trishia Tarasovic and husband Nick Tarasovic, and Susan Hatfield and husband Rick Hatfield.

He is also survived by a special 'Extra Brother', Richie Leighton, who led Bill to a love of all things South Carolina. Bill leaves many cousins, who he loved to keep in touch with, and a special group of common drive neighbors who have bonded like family, as well as too many friends to name.

GREATHEAD – William Leighton, a longtime Pepperell resident. February 28, 2021. Retired Pepperell Police Sergeant and Pepperell Selectman. Beloved husband, father, brother, mentor, and friend. Due to current gathering restrictions and the countless number of lives Bill touched, services will be private at this time. Details for a public memorial service to honor his life will follow. In Bill’s honor and to keep his memory alive, Be Like Him. Help someone any chance you get. Be kind, choose love. He was one of a kind and will be missed more than words could ever express.