Obituary of William Allen Chamberlain

William Allen Chamberlain, retired co-owner of H.W. Chamberlain & Son, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Monday, March 24, 2025, at the age of 93.

William (Bill) was born in Somerville, one of three sons born to Herbert and Lulu Mae Chamberlain. He grew up in Somerville and graduated from Somerville High School in 1950. After high school, he proudly served in the Naval Reserves.

Bill’s father, Herbert, founded H.W. Chamberlain & Sons. The company, originally based in Boston and later Somerville, was a wholesale and retail dairy distribution business, serving a wide range of clients including restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, and stores. It was truly a family-run operation, with Bill and his brother Donald working alongside their father from a young age. Over the years, the third generation of Chamberlains also worked in the business, continuing the legacy of hard work and dedication. The business operated six days a week, with little time for vacations, but the family took great pride in their work. In 1983, a decision was made to close the family business, but Bill was not ready to retire.  He decided that he would bring his customers with him to Paul W. Marks Company. Bill treated it as his own business, often getting to work between 2 and 4 AM each day, no matter what the weather. He enjoyed his work, cherished the relationships he built with co-workers and customers he served for decades, and found great satisfaction in his daily contributions. Bill continued with Paul W Marks until the age of 84.

In his personal life, Bill was a man of adventure and vitality. As a young man, he loved golfing at a local course that is now the site of Tufts University, and he would often hop on his bike to ride to the Mystic Lakes for a swim. He made many trips to Sunapee, NH where he enjoyed skiing in the winter and was part of a ski team and water sports in the summer.  He and his friends bought a water ski jump at Lake Sunapee and enjoyed jumping and putting on shows. Bill became an avid golfer, regularly playing with his friends, son, grandsons, and co-workers. Hickory Hills Country Club was his favorite course, but he also enjoyed golfing at various others as well. He played his final round of golf only a year ago at the age of 92. His neighbors fondly remember seeing him walk the neighborhood or tending to his yard with a spring in his step.

Bill’s life revolved around his family, his work, and making the most of his leisure time. He met his future wife on a blind date in 1953, and they married on April 9, 1954. Together, they created a warm and loving home in Woburn, where they spent that time building a life filled with love and joy. He was a strong role model to his children and grandchildren, instilling values of hard work, honesty, accountability, respect, empathy, and determination. Though he could be a bit of a jokester, he was always a gentleman, offering support and encouragement to his sons and family. He gave them the foundation to be successful not only in their careers but, more importantly, as husbands and fathers. In April 2024, Bill put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, now having the assurance from God’s Word, that though absent from the body, he is at home with the Lord.

Bill will be lovingly remembered by all those whose lives he touched, and his memory will continue to inspire those who knew him.

Bill was the beloved husband of the late Pauline Hope (Whitney) Chamberlain.  He was the loving and supportive father and father-in-law of William Chamberlain, Jr. & his wife Monica of Burlington and Gary Chamberlain & his wife Joanne of Woburn.  He was the proud grandfather of Heidi Hunter & her husband Steven, Keith Chamberlain, Matthew Chamberlain, Kim Van Mourik & her husband Garrett, Dylan Chamberlain, and Ben Chamberlain & his fiancée Abba McKenelley.  He was the great grandfather of Aria, Collin, Audrina, Ava, Owen, and Lucas. He was the loving uncle of his niece, Jane Chamberlain, and nephew, Donald Chamberlain. Bill was predeceased by his brothers, the late Edward Chamberlain and Donald Chamberlain. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at The Church of the Open Bible at 10:00am.  Services will conclude with an interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody.

Memorials in William’s name may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children. 

For online guest book and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net