William R. Oby

William (Bill) R. Oby of Sutton, MA died at the age of 65 on October 29. 2016,  in a tragic motor vehicle accident.  Bill was an only child.  He was predeceased by his parents Voitto A. Oby and Shirley Walker Oby several years ago as well by his Uncles Gordon and Donald Walker.
     Bill leaves his first cousins Sheila (Oby) Champagne of Naples, FL;  Douglas Oby of Millsboro, DE and Naples, FL;  Priscilla Oby of Sparta, TN and Linda Oby Patch of Raleigh, NC.  He also leaves many good friends and neighbors who have been very kind to him over the years.  His friendship with Theron Gordon dates back to their high school days in Sutton and has lasted all of the years since.
     Bill belonged to the Uxbridge Rod and Gun Club and leaves many friends there.  He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed target practice and trap shooting.
     Bill joined the Naval Reserves after high school.  He served one year stationed on the USS Barry.  He was later employed as a machinist at the Whitin Machine Works.  Bill especially enjoyed his time working as a Home Health Aid where he became good friends with one of his former patients, Brian Souders, who was a quadriplegic.  That friendship continued to this day.
     Bill put those excellent skills to use when he cared for his own parents and his Uncle Gordon, allowing all of them to remain in their own homes until they died.
      Bill was very proud of his Finnish heritage.  He recently reconnected with his cousin Priscilla Oby who supplied him with his Oby ancestry chart and many old photos of his Oby relatives including his great grandfather born in Finland in 1840.  Bill was extremely pleased to have all of this interesting information.
 

     Graveside services for William R. Oby will be held May 20th at 11AM at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Whitinsville, MA.  Services will include the US Navy Honor Guard as Bill served in the Naval Reserves and was stationed one year on the USS Barry.
     
     Pastor Renn Serna from the United Presbyterian Church in Whitinsville will lead the Funeral Service.  Bill's friends and family are welcome to share their thoughts and memories of Bill during the service.
     Bill's ashes will be interred at the burial site of his parents, Voitto Oby and Shirley Walker Oby, at the Walker grave-site.
A buffet luncheon will follow shortly after the services at the Willow Brook Restaurant at 16 Hastings St. (Rt 16) in Mendon.  A private room has been reserved for the guests starting at 12 noon.  All those attending the service are welcome to join us at the restaurant.  Please let us know if
you will be attending the luncheon by contacting me, Priscilla Oby, at obydo@yahoo.com.
 
 


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