William Leonard Twohig

CW4 William Leonard “Bill” Twohig, USA (Ret.) age 89, of Stoneham, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Winchester Hospital on September 10, 2021.

Bill was born in Melrose to Joseph and Minnie (Coine) Twohig. He attended Melrose High School and was prepared as a Master Aviation Mechanic at East Coast Aero Tech. Bill followed in the footsteps of his father and brother, enlisting in the US Army during the Korean War, where he earned his GED from the US Armed Forces Institute and rose to Master Sergeant. He was elevated to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 before retiring after nearly 42 years of service in the US Army and US Army Reserve.

After his marriage to Alice J. (Walsh), Bill joined his wife in Stoneham, where they made their permanent home and raised their family. Bill worked in the semiconductor industry and continued to be employed full time until the age of 85. He capped off his career with over 20 years of service at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum National Archives, where he escorted dignitaries and Heads of State from around the world.

Bill was a voracious reader and enjoyed bowling, coaching, attending athletic events, collecting stamps and coins, and well-deserved travel with his wife. He lived his life with exquisite discipline, timeliness, and precision (for the most part), although he occasionally forgot to return a child or two from hockey rinks, and he procrastinated around home improvement responsibilities whenever possible. Bill tolerated the many tea parties, ice cream socials, reunion committee meetings and book clubs hosted by his wife Alice and racked up impressive mileage transporting thousands of her magnificent whoopie pies and desserts to bake sale locations near and far. Bill cherished chocolate ice cream and chocolate frappes and insisted on frying his two eggs for breakfast every day, just his way, until days before his death. When not wearing Army green, he was famed for his colorful yet tasteful shirts and ties. Bill was immensely proud to be Irish, however like many of his heritage, he was not especially fond of expressing emotion and affection. He was permanently enrolled in family-taught classes on giving and receiving hugs and “I love you’s” and he graduated with distinction in these courses in his final days. Most importantly, while Bill was true to each of the seven US Army values, his modeling of integrity, duty, personal courage, and loyalty were exceptional, and he leaves a brilliant legacy for those whose lives he has touched.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 65 years and children William Jr. (Billy) of Portland Maine, Patricia (McGaffigan) and husband Jack of Groton, Michael and wife Laurie of Stoneham and Maureen (Swanton) and husband Bernard of Reading. His grandchildren Shauna, Erin, Megan, Moira, Patrick, Michael, Maeve and Declan and great-grandchildren Anthony, Madison and Brynlee were the absolute light of his life. Bill was predeceased by his parents and brother Joseph Jr., and son John.

Family and friends are invited to Bill’s visitation at Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (Rte. 28) STONEHAM on Thursday, September 16th from 5 – 8 pm. Parking attendants and elevator are available.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Patrick’s Parish, 71 Central Street, Stoneham on Friday, September 17th at 10 am with interment to follow at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery. Those who wish to attend remotely may do so via www.HarborView.Live at the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to Saint Patrick’s Parish, 71 Central Street, Stoneham, MA 02180 or the McDonough Nursing Education Fund at Winchester Hospital, 41 Highland Avenue, Winchester, MA 01890. In recognition of Bill’s distinguished military service, his family invites you to find some small way to thank and recognize a veteran, reservist or active-duty member of the military for their service.

For directions or to send a memorial condolence, please visit www.BarileFuneral.com or www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome


Arrangements are under the direction of the McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, Pepperell.