James F. McWilliams
WWII Veteran, longtime Lowell Resident
NASHUA James F. McWilliams, 95, of Nashua, formerly of Lowell and Springhill, Florida, passed away Monday, November 30, 2015, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center peacefully after a battle with pneumonia. He was the widower of the late Pauline (Gacek) McWilliams who died in 1994 after being married for 48 years.
A son of the late George H. and the late Catherine C. (Kelley) McWilliams, he was born October 30, 1920, and was raised and educated in Lowell, graduating from Lowell High School. He served as a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II specializing as a Smoke Generator Operator. During his enlistment, he served during many battles including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. Before his honorable discharge he earned the Good Conduct Medal and the European / African / Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon.
James worked for the City of Lowell School Department as a Senior Custodian for the Varnum Elementary School until his retirement in 1982, and in his younger days, he had also worked for many years as an oil burner installer for McGoohans Oil Company. After his retirement, he moved to Florida where he resided until 2009 when he relocated to Nashua, New Hampshire. He was a communicant of St. Margaret Church, and after his retirement he enjoyed swimming at the Y.M.C.A. in Florida as well as playing checkers. James was a handyman and enjoyed fixing things around the house.
His survivors include his only daughter, Nancy Bernard and her husband, Gary of Nashua, NH; his grandson, Tyler James Bernard and granddaughter, Lauren Ashley Bernard both of Nashua, NH; a sister in law, Phyllis McWilliams of Lowell; one niece, Marlene Browne of Lowell; five nephews, Jack McWilliams and his wife, Carol of Lowell, Robert D. McWilliams and his wife, Deborah of Wilbraham, Brian G. McWilliams and his wife, Margie of Kingston, Gary C. McWilliams and his wife, Lee of Houston, and Alan R. McWilliams and his wife, Paula Perpall of New York; and many grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends.
He was also a brother of the late Dorothy McWilliams, R.N., the late Anna L. McWilliams, the late George H. McWilliams, the late John McWilliams, and the late Leo McWilliams. James was also the brother in law of the late Rita McWilliams, and uncle of the late David J. McWilliams.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS FROM 5 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY. ON SATURDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET PARISH, 374 STEVENS ST., LOWELL AT 10 A.M.. BURIAL AND MILITARY HONORS WILL FOLLOW IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY.
