Willard H. (Will) Carpenter

 Willard H. "Will" Carpenter, 74, of Shelburne Rd., passed away on Nov. 23, 2022 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center.

Will was born in Vienna, Austria on August 18, 1948. He was the son of Raymond Carpenter and Johanna (Dolezal) Carpenter. His family came to the US when he was young and Will became a US citizen in May of 1966, a few months shy of his 18th birthday. He was very proud of becoming a US citizen. He graduated from the New Berlin High School in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

He enlisted in the US Army on January 5, 1968 and served honorably during the Vietnam war until his discharge on January 4, 1971.

Will was married to Carol Lynn Hubbard from 1973 to 1981, during which time their only son Grant was born in 1977. He was later married to Elizabeth "Betty" (Bennett) James on August 16, 1985 until her untimely passing in 2014. It was at this time he moved to Greenfield from Shelburne Falls.

Will was employed as a cook at the VA Medical Center in Leeds for many years until his retirement. While at the VA he was a union delegate who advocated for the rights of his colleagues.

He attended St. Joseph's Church in Shelburne Falls with his wife Betty before and following her passing, was an avid coin collector, and was a member of the Moose Club in Greenfield and American Legion.

Survivors include his son Grant of the United Kingdom , a sister, Brigitte Ostler of Utah, and many friends.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 pm at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 40 Church St., Shelburne Falls.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 2 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph's Church, 34 Monroe Ave., Shelburne Falls. Committal prayers will follow in Arms Cemetery.

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