William M McMullen

William M. McMullen

William “Bill” M. McMullen, 79, of Bristol, RI passed away peacefully at home on May 17, 2025 with his loving wife, Annie at his side.

Born on December 27, 1945 in Newton, MA, Bill was the youngest of six children of Francis and Mary (Kenslea) McMullen.  His childhood was filled with happy summers at his family’s summer home in Marshfield, MA where he enjoyed fishing, boating and developed his life-long love for the ocean and sailing.

He attended St. Sebastian’s  School in Newton, MA graduating in 1963 where he made many lifelong friends.  He was a tenacious team player on the football and hockey teams.

His undergraduate studies were at Providence College graduating in 1967 with a degree in Political Science.

After graduation in 1967 Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps proudly serving his country in Vietnam as an Artillery Forward Officer with the 11th Marine Regiment directing and coordinating artillery fire in support of the 5th Marine Regiment Infantry units to whom he was attached. He served his final year at Camp Lejeune and Guantanamo, Cuba.  He completed his service in 1970 as 1st Lieutenant. The brotherhood of Marines remained a steady force throughout his entire life.

Returning home to Massachusetts Bill enrolled at Suffolk Law School receiving his J.D. in 1974.   He worked for the Department of Health and Human Services in the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals until his retirement in 1999.

In 2000, after 55 years of single life, Bill met the love of his life, Annie (Castelnovo) whom he married in 2001.

Bill was an active member of the community serving on the Bristol Zoning Board for 20 years and, after retirement as an H & R Block tax professional for many years in the East Bay.  He greatly enjoyed his volunteer work for the Audubon Society of RI and the International Newport Yacht Restoration School.

For several years, from spring to fall, he worked for Old Port Marine operating the launch boat in Newport Harbor which he enjoyed immensely until the onset of a progressive neurological condition, related to Agent Orange exposure, limited his balance and stamina.

Bill found his greatest enjoyment when he was on the water whether on his Lyman Islander or sailing the waters of Narragansett Bay.  He was a longstanding member of the Bristol Yacht Club participating in Wednesday Race Nights aboard Winsome, racing Etchells in Newport and Narragansett Terrace Race Nights in Riverside, RI.

Throughout his life Bill enjoyed skiing in New Hampshire and Colorado, swimming in the ocean or at the local YMCA, biking and walking along the wooded paths and oceanside trails of Colt State Park and Sachuest Point.  He was an outstanding woodworker always having home restoration or furniture projects in process.

Bill was known for his wonderful smile, integrity, kindness, quick wit, generous spirit, curiosity and an ever-present calm voice.  His personality and character – a gentleman in every way.   He was humble and quiet but when he spoke, everyone listened. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life – a good book, stimulating conversation especially about politics and current affairs, a walk by the ocean, a strong cup of coffee, a game of scrabble, the soft purring of his feline friend, Amber and planting his vegetable garden.  True to his Boston heritage he remained an enthusiastic Red Sox and Patriots fan through thick and thin.

He will be remembered with deep love and wonderful memories by those who survive him: his sisters:  Maureen of Norwood, MA, Rita (Bob) Gribben of Hollywood, South Carolina, Eileen (Tom) Glynn of Andover, MA, his brother John (Sheila) of Denver, Colorado, many beloved nieces and nephews and family in Donegal, Ireland. He was pre-deceased by his brother Frank and his parents.

Cherished husband of his wife, Annie, he will be forever greatly loved and missed beyond measure. Warm winds and following seas my Bill until we are together again.

Greatest thanks are owed to his care teams at the RI Cancer Center (Khaldoun Almhanna, MD and Ross Terada, DO), The Dana Farber Cancer Institute (Eejung Kim, MD) and the VNA Home and Hospice in Middletown, RI for their utmost care and support throughout his illness.

Burial services will be private with military honors.  A celebration of Bill’s life will be held later this year.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory would be greatly appreciated to:

Operation Beachhead an organization whose goal and purpose is to provide all-season adaptive, recreational and social activities to disabled veterans, active-duty troops and individuals with disabilities (Michael Ricci, Operation Beachhead, 1201 New Brunswick Avenue, Manasquam, New Jersey  08736) or to the Potter League for Animals, 87 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842.