William Frank Walker

William Frank Walker, 76, of Braintree, MA, passed away peacefully at home on December 16, 2023, after a year and half long battle with lung and pancreatic cancer.

He was born on September 11, 1947, to Edna and Lt. William B. Walker U.S.N. (ret.) in Quincy, MA, The first of five brothers, William graduated from BC High (class of 1965) and, following a brief stint at Boston State where he essentially smoked and played cards in lieu of studying, he enlisted in the Navy. He spent two years on active duty in Rota, Spain before transitioning to the Reserves.

Returning to the states, William worked as a stock broker at Clark Dodge in Boston, and later at Viner in Quincy, before ultimately settling into sales at radio station WBZ for the longer haul.

After 30 years of service, William retired from the Naval Reserves as an Intelligence Specialist Chief Petty Officer in 1995.

A man of the people, William found the greatest joy in engaging with strangers and making them friends. From parlaying his woodworking hobby to a managerial position at Woodworker’s Warehouse in Quincy to driving for Tower Taxi in Braintree, William always embraced the time spent with customers.

He loved history, reading, chasing Russian subs, the Red Sox, and travel. A self-proclaimed raconteur, he completed a final ocean cruise with his beloved wife and partner in crime, Polly, just a week before his passing. Because in the end it is neither the journey, nor the destination, but rather the company you keep.

William is survived by his wife; Polly (Jurmain). Children (from his first marriage); William S. Walker and Stacey O’Brien. Stepchildren; Lauren Libitz and Matt Richenburg. Grandchildren; Sean and Mike O’Brien, Colin Libitz, and Leo, Cash, Kingsley, and Mena Richenburg. And his brothers; Paul, Jim, Bob, and Mark.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9 AM on Saturday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Braintree at 10 AM. Cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to NVNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061, or the charity of your choice.