Amherst, Dr. William “Bill” Hutchinson passed away on Feb. 19 at the age of 84 after bravely battling cancer for the past 10 months. Born in 1929 in Worcester, MA, to Warren and Ita (Gabbett) Hutchinson, Bill attended South High School, and received his associate’s degree from The Stockbridge School of Agriculture, his B.A. in biology and master’s in microbiology from Clark University, and his Ph.D. in botany from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Bill was a founder of the Amherst Orchid Society and served as the Dean of Sciences at Holyoke Community College, positions in which his vast knowledge of horticulture played an integral role. He was an active member of the community and a district deputy in the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eleanor (Riley); son William (Michelle); daughter Ellen Feld (Michael); grandchildren William Hutchinson, Sarah Hutchinson, Holly Feld, and Nicholas Feld; and many loving friends and members of his extended family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday February 22, 2014, at 10:00 AM in Most Holy Redeemer Church, Hadley. Burial will with full military honors follow in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Hadley. Calling Hours will be Friday February 21, 2014 from 4 – 7 PM at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.