William Henry Bourque, Jr.

William H. Bourque, Jr. , 92 years old passed away peacefully at home on May 5, 2023, with his 4 children by his side. Bill was raised in Taunton and lived most of his life off the 8th fairway of the John F. Parker G.C. He graduated from Monsignor James Coyle HS in 1948 and honorably served his country in the US Army during the Korean War (Battle of Chosin Reservoir). He worked at Texas Instruments for over 35 years, taking an early retirement to help run the John F. Parker GC for the next 10 years with his family.  He was married to the love of his life, Grace (Lawlor) for 56 years until her passing in 2011.

Bill was one of a kind. It was best to avoid talking about religion or politics with him. He liked to tell an off-color joke here and there and somehow managed to always pick the wrong audience. He had a knack for remembering dates and places and could tell a great story.

He was a generous and neighborly guy. His actions spoke louder than his words, which sometimes were few. He was always there to lend a helping hand to a friend or a stranger. He took joy in plowing snow in his neighborhood for over 50 years with his 1930 Ford Model AA or helping to mow a neighbor’s lawn, even when they sometimes didn’t want him to.

Bill started playing the clarinet at age 12 and it accompanied him throughout his life. If you were lucky enough, he played you a tune or two.

Bill’s passion was golf, and he was well known on the local golf scene. He participated in over 50 Taunton City Opens finishing 2nd, seven times. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as he was fond of saying.  He won the Segregansett Club Championship in 1977, beating out his son, Billy, who is still slightly miffed to this day. He had 4 holes in one in his lifetime. He strongly believed the Ben Hogan GRIP was the key to a good game and he was known to share this belief with anyone who was interested and some who weren’t.  He was active in the sport well into his late 80s.

Bill always kept busy. If he wasn’t playing golf, he was in his garage working on a car or household project. He was a longtime member of Segregansett Country Club, member of VFW Post 611, and past Boy Scout leader of Troop 2. He was a patron of the former St Paul’s Church, and later St Andrew the Apostle, where he helped usher and collect for many, many years at both parishes.

Bill traveled all over the country with his wife as his co-pilot and if you ever drove with Bill, you know she deserved a medal. He even drove his 1936 Ford Sedan from coast to coast in the Great American Road Race.

Bill leaves behind his children, William Bourque III, Maureen Jenkins, Cindy Nunes and David Bourque, son in law Jack Nunes, daughter in law Karen Lane, grandchildren Kara & Ben Jenkins, Chris & Matt Nunes, & Adam Bourque, and great granddaughter Annalise Lopez. He was predeceased by his wife, Grace, sister Rita Castle, son in law, Ralph Jenkins, and his parents, William H. Bourque and Emily (Rusck).

Visiting hours will be held on Friday May 19th, from 4-7 PM at Sowiecki-Snyder Home for Funerals, 69 West Britannia Street, Taunton. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 10 AM in St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 19 Kilmer Avenue, Taunton. Burial will take place at a later date at the Bourne National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the First Tee of Massachusetts, 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd, Norton, MA 02766. (firstteemass.org)