William E. George ’55 died on September 10, 2022, in Danvers, Massachusetts.
(The following was provided by the Ipswich Local News on September 13, 2022)
William E. George ’55
William E. “Bill” George, 89, formerly of Ipswich, died peacefully on September 10, 2022, at the Kaplan Family House in Danvers after a brief illness.
He was the beloved husband of Annette “Nan” (Irons) George, who predeceased him on September 3, 2010.
Bill was born in Amesbury on January 15, 1933, the only child of the late Raymond E. and Ruth (Morrill) George.
He was raised in Amesbury, where he attended local schools before going on to graduate from Philips Exeter Academy in the class of 1951.
He then studied at Bowdoin College, graduating in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in government and economics.
He joined ROTC and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves during the time of the Korean conflict.
During the summers of his childhood, he spent many joyful summers on Little Neck.
Married in 1955, Bill and Nan soon settled in Ipswich, where they raised their family and resided for more than 65 years.
Bill’s professional career in sales spanned 40 years in the steel industry. He retired as president from Zurbach Steel in Salem, N.H.
Following his retirement, he continued volunteering his time as a member of board of directors of the former Ipswich Savings Bank.
His involvement with local causes included being a founding member of the Ipswich Lions Club, member of the conservation commission, school building needs committee, and the John T. Heard Masonic Lodge AF & AM.
He was most proud of being elected to three consecutive terms to the Ipswich Board of Selectmen.
An avid environmentalist, he enjoyed duck hunting, smelt fishing, and photographing his beloved Maine coon cat, “Chucky Lipton.”
Well-known for his role as an amateur historian, he collected anything to do with Ipswich, mainly photos, postcards, and the artwork of Eleanor Heywood Norris.
He enjoyed offering shows to local civic groups, where his memorabilia was shared with his friends, family, and community.
He returned to his native Amesbury, enjoying his last year at the Elizabeth Calsey House on Lion’s Mouth Road.
Bill is survived by his family of three daughters: Linda George Grimes, Deborah S. Henry and her husband, Timothy, and Judith A. Tucker, all of Ipswich; his six cherished grandchildren: Jennifer R. Quigley and husband Michael, Josiah G. Grimes and wife Cori, Michael G. Henry and partner Rachel Carriere, Thomas Q. Henry and wife Kandace, Christyna A. Rousseau and husband Sean, Myriah T. Tucker and Corey Matthews; and his adored five great-grandsons: Michael, William, Josiah, Benjamin, and Spencer.