ROCKLAND — William Newman, 86 was called home to the Lord, peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 13, 2015.

Bill was born March 9, 1929, in Saugus, Mass., and grew up in Lynn. He proudly served our country in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954.

The happiest day of his life was July 4, 1955, when he wed the love of his life, Mary Jane McDonald.

He joined the Metropolitan Police Department and was honored to have been the very first K-9 police officer in Washington, D.C. Bill and his dog, Mark, once had the privilege of guarding first lady Jaqueline Kennedy. Bill was retired from the police force in 1962 after suffering a broken neck while in pursuit of a criminal (whom he chased, caught and arrested even with a broken neck).

Later, Bill moved his family to Thomaston and worked as a door-to-door salesman with the Fuller Brush Company. Encouraged by his dear friend and brother-in-law, Charles Doyle, he became a master oil burner man and worked for Maritime Energy and Kalloch Fuel.

During the early 1970s Bill and his family lived in Longwood, Fla., where he enjoyed working security at Walt Disney World.

In 1973, Bill moved to Crawford Pond and remained there until all five of his children had graduated from high school.

In 1984 he and Jane, semi-retired and spent their winters working at Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande island in Florida, while enjoying the rest of the year in Maine.

Bill's favorite thing was to spend time with his family. He loved to watch his grandchildren play sports and was loved by all the children who patiently listened while he "coached" them.

August 2009 found Bill moving into Bartlett Woods Retirement Community. He enjoyed his six years there making lots of friends with other residents and staff alike.

Bill loved sharing stories of his life and would eagerly bend the ear of anyone interested in listening. Bill enjoyed cooking, fishing, playing cribbage and most evenings could be found in front of his TV yelling at the Boston Red Sox.

Bill was generous, humble and very much loved. His children were blessed to have an incredibly loving father who liked nothing more than simply spending time with them. While faced with many struggles throughout his life he always counted his blessings and would state "I'm such a lucky man."

A special thank you to the Bartlett Woods staff, who he loved and considered family. Thank you also to the Quarry Hill staff who cared for him during the last weeks of his life. A very special thank you to his hospice nurse, Valerie Despres, who he loved and would greet weekly with a "Hi beautiful." Val went above and beyond the call of duty in caring for Bill, and would frequently bring her dog to visit him. Her kind heart and genuine caring brought great comfort to Bill and his family. The family cannot thank her enough.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Winifred Newman; his beautiful wife, Mary Jane Newman; his brother, Donald; and his sister, Jean. He is survived by his five children, Robert Newman and his wife, Susan, Judy Newman, Ellen Wood and her husband, Jason, Diane Roberts and her husband, Paul, and Kelly Newman; his eight grandchildren, Rebecca Barstow and her husband, Chris, Justin Dever and his wife, Erica, Kelli Rudolph and her husband, Eric, John Wood and his fiancée, Tiffany Nadeau, Britta Meyer, Cheyenne Veen, Wyatt Jackson and Samantha Roberts; his seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 150 Broadway in Rockland.

Interment with military honors will follow at Village Cemetery on Erin Street in Thomaston. The Rev. Dominic Azagbor will officiate.