William G Bessette, Jr

Brimfield – William G. Bessette, Jr., 60 passed away peacefully Saturday, September 9, 2023.

A loud voice with a commanding presence and an enormous heart.  Billy was a strong, hardworking, and gracious man, a steadfast, devoted Dad and a dedicated, dependable employee. Billy loved deeply and appreciated life’s simplest joys. He attended Pathfinder Regional Technical High School where he focused his studies on auto body repair. Billy’s greatest passion was classic cars and bringing them back to their original glory, or chopping and molding them into “hotrods”– all works of art.  A garage was Billy’s happy place, tinkering on cars, trucks, motorcycles – anything with wheels or a motor, he enjoyed a break and a cold drink when friends would happen by, with classic country or golden oldies playing as a backdrop, inspiring his work.

A NASCAR fan for life, rarely was a race missed except for very special life moments. Billy loved rocking chairs, “good” junk shops, swap meets, drive in movies, singing, road trips, back roads, canoe trips, and treasured time spent at “Camp” in New Hampshire, making memories was important. He loved the Quabbin Reservoir, picnics, flying kites, his lawn, wildflowers and roses, flying an American flag proudly, most recently learning fly fishing, baking muffins, making Saturday morning breakfast, preparing Sunday afternoon junk food for a race and serving it up with “blue” juice boxes, he loved ice cream and always enjoying dessert…. first.  Billy was enthusiastic and took great pride in having been the biggest fan; and mostly, one-man pit crew for the boys and their race bikes.  “Just Billy” became a self-given and later revered title.  Billy was beloved by his large and loving family, and an unmeasurable lifetime of friends of all ages, including his four-legged, loyal Rosie.

Billy leaves his longtime sweetheart and partner in life, Mona Rand; his son, Jason Bessette and his wife Danielle of Palmer, and his son, Justin Bessette of Westfield, Mona’s children, Rebecca Wurster (Michael), Jesse Gibbs (Erica), Timothy Rand (Veronica), Amber Rand (Darren Barrington), Gabriel Rand (Erica), his cherished mother, Betty Ann (Racine) Webber, brother Shawn Webber (Carolyn), sisters Barbara Bessette and Erica Webber, fourteen precious grandchildren with one on the way, as well as three nieces and a nephew, many aunts, uncles and cousins. He loved and will be sadly missed by “Gram” Gibbs, his best friend “Wes” Gates and his step grandfather Ike Bryant.

Billy was predeceased by his father William G. Bessette, Sr. and Stepdad, David Webber. And an adored man’s best friend “Poop” Dog.

Billy was born in Vernon, CT and went on to settle in Wales and Brimfield, MA.  Billy had been employed by T.J. O’Keefe Construction, as well as many years working with the Fortier family, more recently with Collins & Sons Construction, all of Wales, MA.  Billy attended New Birth Christian Church in Thorndike, where he will be missed by his amazing, supportive church family.

Services and a celebration of life will take place Saturday, September 30th at New Birth Christian Church, 4025 Church Street, Thorndike, MA. Family will receive visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with a memorial service taking place at 12:00 noon.