William H. Newton

William H. Newton passed away on the afternoon of April 3, 2019 at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. The beloved son of Howard and Anne Newton, William was born in New York City in 1938 and resided in Cotuit, MA since 2005. He is survived by his wife Nancy (Parker), his daughter Deborah, son Robert (Caroline), sister Barbara Anne (Skip), six grandchildren (Marina, Sophia, Ty, Siena, AJ and Teddy), several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Bill grew up in California and was an avid baseball player, which he continued to play in college at the University of Illinois. He transferred to Michigan State University where he met his future wife Nancy and earned a bachelors degree in urban planning in 1969. Bill and Nancy were wed on March 15, 1969 in Allegan, MI. Bill later earned his masters degree in Urban Planning at Western Michigan University in 1978 and moved east to Shrewsbury, MA in 1979 to become the Executive Director of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, the job he continued until his retirement in 2004. He loved his job and believed in the value of planning in its capacity to help communities respond to and meet the needs of their residents. Professional achievements aside, it was his role as father and husband that brought out the best in Bill. Whether it was his wife, kids, or grandkids, he always made time and was always there when you needed him. Actions always spoke louder than words for Bill as evidenced by the many hats he wore: cub scout leader, soccer coach, unofficial “chauffer”, tennis partner, rotary club member, town volunteer, runner, jokester and many others. His love, smile, and kindness will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A graveside memorial at the Mosswood Cemetery in Cotuit, MA is scheduled for Friday, April 26, 2019 at 11am.