William Chew

Chew, William N., 84, died Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at his home in Portsmouth Rhode Island. He was the husband of Patricia A. (Thompson) Chew. Born in his grandparent’s home in Esmond, RI, he was the son of the late Norris and Alice (Balme) Chew. Alice died when Bill was four days old. He was raised by his two aunts, Edith Lawson and Olive Tetreault.

Bill retired from Narragansett Electric Company, where he had worked for 45 years. He was a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War and served with the 1st Marine Division. He also served with the RI Air National Guard for 26 years; retiring as a Master Sergeant.

He was a member of VFW Post 4487, Middletown, the Marine Corps League Kent County detachment, 1st Marine Division Association, URI Master Gardeners Hall of Fame, Big Brothers, Korean War Veterans Chapter 2, Centredale Volunteer Fire Company, Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 310, and the Portsmouth Senior Center. He served on the committee for the Korean War Memorial at the RI Veterans Cemetery, coached in the Budlong League and CLCF, and volunteered at the RI Veterans Home. He received the VFW National Health Care Volunteer award in 2003, and was Laird of Glencarin, Scotland.

Bill also leaves his children, James E. Chew and his wife Carol of Friendswood Texas, Janet Moy and her husband Jeffrey of Newport, Eileen Drake of Palos Verdes Estates , CA, Elizabeth Caplette and her husband Dan of Lakeville Massachusetts, and Thomas Chew and his wife Tiffany of Medina, WA. He also leaves his grandchildren Kevin, Sarah, Brian, Gracie and Walker Chew, John and Patrick Moy, Katelyn, Roger and Madelyn Caplette.

Bill’s funeral will be held Tuesday at 10 AM from the Robbins Funeral Home, 2251 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in Mary, Mother of Mankind Church, 25 Fourth St, North Providence. Burial with military honors will follow in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston. Calling hours are Monday 4-7 PM. A Memorial Mass will also be held Wednesday at noon at St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.