William Orvin Hood, III

NEWTON, NH - William Orvin “Bill” Hood, III, 65, of Newton, NH passed away on the morning of September 20, 2023 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital following a lengthy battle with Myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer. He was born on August 10, 1958 in Gouverneur, NY and grew up in Boxford, MA, attending Harry Lee Cole and Spofford Pond Elementary schools before graduating in the Class of 1976 from Masconomet Regional High School. 

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1976-1980 as a signalman aboard the USS Damato (DD-871), stationed in Newport, RI. He attended boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes and was sworn-in on the decks of the USS Constitution in Boston as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration.

After his honorable discharge, he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Geology from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst in 1984, and began his career in quality control and operations management in the concrete industry. Concrete is a complex building material, and nobody was better than the “Concrete scientist” at designing mixtures that have stood the test of time. He was involved in many large construction projects, both public and private, including the Big Dig and the redesign of Logan Airport, and most recently the drydock replacement at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the new Amazon fulfillment warehouse in North Andover. During his career he spent many years working for Wakefield Concrete, and more recently worked for Aggregate Industries, BASF, J.G. MacLellan Concrete, and Cianbro, among others.

Possessing a keen mind and a thirst for knowledge, he made a formidable trivia opponent. Many family trivia games were won with Billy on the team. He also used his vast knowledge to connect and make conversation with anyone about anything, usually over a few extra-dry martinis. His passion was listening to a broad range of good music and attending live shows, especially the Chicago blues of his favorite artist, Buddy Guy. He loved sharing his passion for music with others. Appreciation for the natural world and the outdoors took him on numerous hikes in the White Mountains, most often with friends and family to Carter Notch Hut, and he was an avid cross-country skier. Many long days were spent exploring the backroads of New England on his Harley-Davidson. He also served as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America.

He is survived by his wife Judy of Newton, NH, son Brian and daughter-in-law Dr. Elizabeth Gale of Newbury, MA, daughter Laura of Newton, NH, sister Susan Greenler and husband Jack of Groveland, MA, brother John and wife Heidi of North Andover, MA, father William Hood and wife Myra Lee of Apache Junction, AZ, step-daughter Sarah O’Neill, and many more in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his mother Nancy P. Hood.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of his Life on Friday, September 29, 2023, at the Black Swan Country Club, 258 Andover Street, Georgetown, MA from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com 

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