William B. Earley, Jr., age 88, of Norwell, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 31, 2012. Bill was the beloved husband of the late Dorothy Ann Mullen, to whom he was married on Nov.11, 1951. He was the loving father of Kathleen M. Plummer and her husband, Edwin F. of West Yarmouth. Bill was the devoted grandfather of Arthur E. Plummer, Jillian M. Plummer, and Christopher W. Plummer. He was brother of Francis Earley of Plymouth, and the late Margaret Beaman, Dorothy Smith, Mary Hilton, and Agnes Earley. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Earley served in the US Navy during World War II, serving on the US destroyer, USS Chatelain. In 1947, Bill graduated from Boston College as a Physicist. He then worked for the US Navy from 1947 to 1956 before his job in the private sector with Raytheon, where he worked from 1956 until 1987.

Mr. Earley was active in the community, volunteering for the American Cancer Society and numerous other organizations, including the Norwell Council on Aging and the Golden Rooster's Club.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 10:30 am in St. Helen Church, 383 Washington St. (Rt.53), Norwell. Visiting hours Friday, Feb. 3rd from 4-8 pm in the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 30 Central St. (off Rt. 123, near State Police Barracks), Norwell Center. Interment Washington Street Cemetery, Norwell. If desired, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Norwell Council on Aging, 293 Pine Street, Norwell, MA. 02061.

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