William “Bill” McClellan Jr. of Chatham, MA, age 79, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2020. Bill graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1959. After spending a year fishing out of Harwich and Chatham, he went to Massachusetts Maritime Academy, graduating with a marine engineering degree in 1963. Bill went on to work in the Merchant Marines for 23 years, obtaining his Chief Engineer License for Steam and Motor vessels. He married Maureen, the love of his life, in 1983 and spent just shy of 37 years together. Once he retired from sailing, Bill enjoyed working on computers, was one of the initial members of the Chatham Cable Committee and spent 12 years on the Chatham School Committee. He loved his time spent in the White Mountains of New Hampshire or out on the family boat in the waters around Chatham. Bill was also very involved with the ASLP program and with his alma mater. Bill enjoyed watching his daughter Katie grow up in Chatham and follow in his footsteps to MMA. Before passing he was able to see her complete her Doctors in Education degree. Bill had a love for Rhodesian Ridgebacks and was able to enjoy three different dogs. Fair winds and following seas. Bill is predeceased by his father William J. McClellan Sr., mother Helen (Riley) McClellan and niece Laurel Bowman. He is survived by his wife Maureen (O’Brien) McClellan; daughter Katherine M. McClellan; dog Nauset; brother John J. McClellan (Canton) and wife Jane; sister Joan Bowman (Virginia Beach) and husband Charles; one niece and two nephews. He leaves behind special shipmates, extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in William McClellan’s name to either Massachusetts Maritime Academy class of ’63 scholarship Fund, Advancement Office, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532; or The Chatham Children’s Fund, 166 Depot Road, Chatham, MA 02633. Burial will be private. At a later date a celebration of Bill’s life will occur. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
