William Walsh

William A. Walsh, 66, of Watertown, passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Bedrock Nursing Home in Watertown.

Our brother Bill, the oldest of our seven siblings, went home peacefully yesterday evening after a brave battle with deep sufferings on a day marked by Our Lord's Ascension into Heaven and the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

Aspergers was not diagnosed in Bill's day, but because of it, he never knew some of the earthly joys many of us take for granted: marriage, children, and enduring friendships.   Yet, I think his life was far richer in significance than many of the lives we "normal" people choose to live.  Bill loved big machines and anything having to do with electronics.  From the time he was little, he was pulling apart old TVs and radios and trying to understand how things worked.  One morning at 4 am, my Dad was awakened by a knock at the door, and there stood Sgt. Green, our local policeman, who had brought Bill home.  Bill was only about 8 or 9 and had taken his red coaster wagon out to pick up an old TV someone had left by the side of the road.  His curiosity about these things was insatiable.  He worked most of his adult life in machine shops running punch presses which he loved and knew how to fix when something went wrong with them.  And though he had struggles like all of us, he had a certain kind of innocence about him which belongs to the unpretentious. God's ways are not our ways, and when we think of Jesus reminding us that the last will be first, we are so happy to think of Bill now in the arms of the Father.

Bill's brother Tom, who has been responsible for caring for Bill and his needs since his stroke and has done a wonderful job out of his love for Bill and family, took this last night.  This is his commentary: "This was taken last night in Oconomowoc of Lac LA Belle; I thought this was a beautiful sight, so I stopped the car, got out, and captured it. It's a fitting picture of God's beauty signifying Bill's journey to Heaven." What a beautiful day God chose to take Bill home!

We are so grateful for your prayers and support!  Love to you all!

Bill is survived by his sister Anne Marie Walsh, brothers: Christopher Walsh, Thomas (Diane) Walsh, Jeffrey (Michelle) Walsh, and Michael Walsh. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gregory, sister-in-law Nancy Walsh, and nephew Allen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Monday, May 24, 2021 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Watertown with Fr. Vincent Brewer presiding. Visitation will take place at the church from 10:00am until the time of service. Burial will take place at a later date.