Danvers - John William "Bill" Palmquist, 81, died Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from complications of RSV and pneumonia. His wife and children were at his side.

Born and raised in Swampscott, he was the son of the late Virginia (Spofford) and Harold Palmquist. Bill served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-1967 as an Intelligence Operations Specialist in multiple U.S. locations and in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada.

On November 27, 1965, he married fellow Swampscott native Beverly Perron. They settled in Danvers in 1969 and were happily married for 59 years until his death.

Bill earned his Associate degree in electro-mechanical technology and worked at Raytheon before switching careers and working in sporting goods. He then became a purchaser at Auto Industrial Machine Co. in Danvers for the rest of his career.

He loved playing sports, including baseball and football in high school, softball as a young adult and, in his later years, golf. One of his favorite pastimes was golfing on Sunday mornings with his friends. He taught his children to love sports as well, and throughout their childhood he attended all of their games and events. He always kept up on his favorite sports teams, including the Bruins and Patriots.

For 25 years, Bill was an active member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, including serving as treasurer of Bass River Lodge #141 for over a decade. He took great pride in the organization's many acts of community service and giving. Through his love of golf and Oddfellows, he made many good friends and built a large community who will miss him dearly.

Bill will be remembered for his humor, intelligence and kind heart. He loved striking up conversations with people everywhere he went. He was an avid reader and had a keen interest in history, especially war history, as well as science and nature. He loved animals, and he and Beverly always had a menagerie of pets at home.

Most of all, he loved and was loved by his wife, who cared for him through many health challenges in recent years; his children and their spouses; and his grandchildren. His absence will be felt tremendously.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his three children and four grandchildren: son, Derek and daughter-in-law, Ellen Palmquist (granddaughters Madisyn and Meridyth) of Topsfield; daughter, Darci Palmquist and son-in-law Aaron Becker (granddaughters Josephine and Isabel) of Amherst; and son Doug Palmquist of Chelmsford. He also leaves his niece, Jodi Kreppel of Brick, NJ, and many extended family members. He was predeceased by his sister, Virginia.

His family wishes to thank the compassionate doctors and nurses in the critical care unit at Beverly Hospital and the many medical professionals over the years who cared for him.

Relatives and friends are invited to honor Bill at visiting hours on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. A private burial service will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970. To share an expression of sympathy with Bill's family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.