William J. Kates

William J. “Bill” Kates (97) passed away peacefully at his home in Norwood, MA on Christmas Day. It was a beautiful time to go home to the Lord and to reunite with the love of his life, Margaret M. (McGuire) Kates, the beloved mother of their eight children, who passed away in 2010. Bill was an intelligent, strong, kind, and generous “rock star” to his family and friends.

Bill grew up in Dorchester, MA as the oldest of three boys. He joined the US Navy in 1942 after graduating from Boston College High School and proudly served on the USS Wisconsin in the Pacific during WWII. He was awarded three Navy service medals. After his Navy service, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Margaret, in 1946.

A bright and hardworking sailor, Bill was offered a US Navy scholarship to attend MIT at the end of his military service. He instead chose a family life with Margaret in Dorchester, and then in Wollaston, MA. He worked for Boston Edison while attending Northeastern University at night. For eight years, Bill juggled full-time work, night school, and a young family, eventually graduating with honors from Northeastern University as an Electrical Engineer, with a minor in Business Administration.

In 1955, Bill was recruited by Norwood, MA to serve as the Superintendent of the Municipal Light Department, a job he clearly loved and held proudly for 30 years. In that role, Bill pioneered the modernization of the department and led a successful anti-trust lawsuit against Boston Edison that won the town of Norwood a multi-million-dollar settlement in 1980. Bill was a dedicated public servant who was respected by the Norwood residents and by the other Municipal Electric Departments in Massachusetts.

Bill took up golf in his forties and became an avid golfer as an active member of Wampatuck Country Club in Canton, MA. He made many friends through golf over the years at Wampatuck and then in Melbourne, FL during his retirement years. Bill thrived on the competition and especially enjoyed the time spent with his friends and sons. Bill was a very skilled player, and he had an engaging personality, which made him a great partner in tournament golf. He played golf well into his 80s. Playing, watching, and talking about golf were some of Bill’s great joys, even in his later years.

William & Margaret’s proudest accomplishment was seeing all eight of their children graduate from college. They sacrificed willingly and lovingly to provide the best education possible for their children. In addition, Bill and Marge were passionately involved in their eight children's activities and sports at St. Catherine School, BC High, St. Clare High School, Xaverian Brothers High School, St. Timothy Church, and numerous other organizations.

Bill is survived by six of his eight children: William J. Kates, Jr (Marie) of Marshfield, MA; Amy Kates (Troy Tyson) of Cotuit, MA; Janet Kates Murphy (Ed Napekoski) of Lakeville, MA; Gerard Kates (Carolyn) of Norton, MA; Kenneth Kates (Allyson) of Greenwich, CT; and Dr. James Kates (April) of North Hampton, NH. Bill was predeceased by two of his sons, Thomas J. Kates of Boston, MA and Joseph M. Kates (Pam) of Grafton, MA.

Bill is fondly remembered by his 13 grandchildren: David Kates (Wynne Chow), Daniel Noons, Jillian Miller (Frank), Cameron Murphy (Charlette), Matthew Kates (Daryl), Stephen Kates (Kate), Meredith Karin (John), Kristina Kates (Burke), Andrew Kates, Sean Kates, Emily Kates, Michael Kates, and Jack Kates. Bill is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren: Savannah Miller, Owen Chow Kates, Theodore Kates, Clementine Kates, and Leopold Murphy.

William was a man of great integrity whose life was guided by honesty, hard work, a love of family, and an unending devotion to Margaret, his wife of 64 years. Bill had a quick wit and dry sense of humor right up to his final days. He was a loyal and principled man who believed and lived according to Abraham Lincoln’s words: “Be sure your feet are in the right place, then stand firm.” Bill will be missed forever, but his legacy continues through his children and the many people he so generously touched.

Visitation will be at Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St, Norwood, MA on Thursday, Dec. 30th from 4:30 to 7:00PM. Online Guestbook at GilloolyFuneralHome.com. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Timothy’s Church, 650 Nichols St, Norwood, MA on Friday, Dec. 31st at 10:30AM, burial will follow the Mass at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by either St. Catherine of Sienna School, St. Timothy Church, or the Council on Aging Senior Center, all in Norwood, MA.