Obituary: William G. Mitchell

William G. Mitchell, 94
William G. (“Bill”) Mitchell, a lifelong resident of Hull, died on March 18 at Pat Roche Hospice House in Hingham, surrounded by the family he cherished. He was 94.  
The devoted husband of 62 years to the late Irene F. (Dunphy) Mitchell, he was the cherished father of Betty Ann Doherty and her husband, Wayne, of Whitman; Kathy Mitchell, of Scituate; Jack Mitchell and his wife, Leigh, of Scituate; the late Peggy Rand and her husband, George, of Florida; and the late Marie Mitchell Bradley. 
Bill was the son of the late William B.G. and Lillian (McGrath) Mitchell and the brother of Judith A. Toy of Fayettville, N.C. and the late Randy Mitchell. He was a devoted grandfather to his eight grandchildren: Julie Foster, Katie and Chris Rand, Jenna Gould, William, Brittany and Melissa Mitchell, and Joseph Bradley, who lovingly referred to him as Binka. 
Bill is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Olivia, Isla and Finley Rand, Austin, Brody and Ethan Gould, and Camilla Irene Mitchell. And he leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, including Edie Brigham. He was a friend of Bill W.
Bill attended Hull Village Grammar School and graduated from Hingham High School, class of 1945. Upon graduation, as so many men in that great generation did, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and proudly served his country during WWII; he was stationed in the South Pacific and honorably discharged in 1946.  
Bill worked for the Hull Municipal Light Co. for 23 years. He later took a position as deli manager for Purity Supreme, where he continued working for 21 years. He remained active in his community, serving as head usher and sexton at St. Mary of the Bay Church in Hull for more than 42 years. He also served as commissioner for parks and recreation for 25 years, after which the town dedicated the playground in the Village as The William G. Mitchell Playground in 1984, commemorating his outstanding service. 
Bill also dedicated 30 years as a former call firefighter with the Hull Fire Department. He was a member of the Hull Village Association and served on the board of directors of the Hull Historical Society. He was a coach and umpire for Hull Little League as well as St. Mary’s CYO. In his later years, Bill was chairman of the Reunion Committee for his high school reunions. 
In 1991, he took a position at the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home in Hingham. He assisted families through their losses, serving in the positions of limousine driver and door greeter for 21 years. He was always a gentleman, a true asset to the funeral home with his deep thoughtfulness, sincere kindness, and genuine compassion.  
He will be sadly missed by the many lives he touched. He has left an imprint on many, and we have all been changed for the better by this unforgettable man. 
Relatives and friends were invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday, from 4-8 p.m., in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St., Hingham. Burial will be in Hull Village Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bill can be made to the Town of Hull, Parks and Recreation, c/o Greg Grey, 253 Atlantic Ave., Hull, MA 02045.