William A. McNamara

Posted

William A. McNamara, a Providence native who loved the world and the people in it, died on Monday, November 12, 2018 in the care of his family at his home in Warwick. He was 96. Bill was predeceased by Catherine (Kay), his wife of 70+ years, who was his inspiration both in life and in death

Bill was the second son of John and Margaret (Gannon) McNamara. In his family life and in his work he tried to make the world a better place. He succeeded. Bill graduated from La Salle Academy, served in the Seabees during World War II and graduated from Boston University’s School of Communications. His career began as a reporter for the Providence Journal, where he received a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

Bill and Kay lived in 27 different homes in a score of towns, ranging from Tenants Harbor, Maine to Malibu, California. Along the way, Bill was a journalist, teacher, essayist, RI Governor’s Press Secretary, Public Relations Director in Higher Education and Director of Progress for Providence. His last essay will be published in the December issue of US Catholic.

Bill is survived by five sons: W. Michael and his wife, Martha of Warwick, Kevin of Medical Springs, OR, Dennis and his wife, Toni of Elgin, AZ, Brian of Dartmouth, MA and Terrence of Corvallis, OR. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. He was also predeceased by a sister, Rita Crawford, two brothers, Rev. Patrick McNamara, OSM and Abba William McNamara and a grandson, Jesse James McNamara.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Rd., Warwick on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 10 a.m. Visiting hours were held on Saturday at the Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to: Carolee McNamara Scholarship Fund, La Salle Academy, 612 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI 02908. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org