William John Lightbown

Bill was born in May 1955 in Boston, MA to the late Frank and Jeanne (Ayer) Lightbown. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1973 and served with the United States Air Force for four years active and two years inactive.

Bill married Karen (Spaeder) Lightbown in 1996 and shared many happy times with countless friends and close family, whom he loved dearly, from Melrose, MA, St. Simons Island, GA, and Erie, PA. Bill owned A&A Auto of Woburn, MA, where he worked closely with his brother Mark for almost 30 years. In 2005, he and Karen moved to St. Simons Island, GA where he was fondly known as “Lighty the Handyman.”

Bill had a kind and giving spirit and helped anyone he knew. He had an uncanny sense of humor and could make anyone laugh in any situation. His friends were like family to him, and the neighborhood kids loved to think of him as their grandfather. He was an automobile enthusiast, with an affinity for GM cars and trucks. Bill was an avid golfer, with the amazing accomplishment of four holes in one.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and nieces Jaime Marshall and Alyssa O’Neill.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Karen, sisters Gail Lightbown of Coconut Creek, FL and Nancy (Jim) Lightbown of Rye, NH and her son Johnathan (Kate) Lightbown, his brother Mark (Joanne) Lightbown of Atkinson, NH and their children Michelle and Michael Lightbown and Jessica (Jeff) Carr, his faithful companion Mona Lisa, as well as many other in-laws, nieces, nephews and close friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at St. William Catholic Church, 2300 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA, followed by visitation and celebration of life at St. William Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Glynn County Animal Services and Hospice of the Golden Isles.