Amherst:  William Richard Doherty, 87, resident of the Holyoke Soldier’s Home and formerly a lifelong resident of Amherst, MA passed away on December 12, 2022. Born April 20, 1935 in Amherst MA he was the son of the late Francis John Doherty and the late Agnes Mary (Murphy) Doherty and was also pre-deceased by nine brothers and sisters (Frances S., Marjorie S., Rita B., Eleanor R., Jack D., David D., Anne D., Robert D., and Gary D.) as well his wife Donna Mae (Magliola) Doherty originally of Northampton who passed in 2017.  Bill and Donna had been married for 55 years before her passing. He was a loving husband and father.  He is survived by two daughters Kellie M. Doherty of Arlington MA and Alicia A. Doherty of South Hamilton MA a brother James D. Doherty of Ocala FL, a sister Bonnie C. (Doherty) Curtin of Hadley MA; and the large extended Doherty family.

Bill was an avid athlete at Amherst High School and graduated there in 1952. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Army where he achieved the rank of Corporal before his discharge. He worked for many years as a self-employed contractor and remodeled many of the homes throughout the Amherst region. He also worked at Hampshire College where he was a Director of Facilities before he retired. He always loved to garden, and golfed on the infrequent occasions that he had any spare time. His strong work ethic and green thumb led to post retirement work at a local garden center until his struggles with dementia began. In 2014 those struggles finally led him to the Holyoke Soldier’s home where he resided for 8 years and where he expanded his family to include the many doctors, nurses, and aides that cared and comforted both he and his family in his final years.

Calling hours will be 4-6pm on Wednesday, December 21st at the Douglass Funeral Service, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA. A memorial reception will follow that evening (6pm-8pm) at the Inn at Boltwood in Amherst MA (formerly the Lord Jeffrey Inn). Funeral Service will be private the following Thursday December 22, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in William’s memory to the Holyoke Soldier’s Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke MA 01040 or the Hospice of the Fisher Home where Donations may be made via www.fisherhome.org or by mail to 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 Attention Donations. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com