Obituary: William McKenzie

William "Bill" Alexander McKenzie Sr., 82, of Natick, died Nov. 26, 2012.

Born at the Carney Hospital in Dorchester Feb. 27, 1930, his father John was a cabinet maker and his mother Mary worked at the Green Shoe Factory (Stride Rite). Bill grew up in Boston and graduated from the Boston Trade School.

He met Eleanor "Nellie" Woolhouse while roller skating and they were married in a winter wedding in 1951 so that they could go downhill skiing in Quebec on their honeymoon. Married for 52 years, Eleanor died in 2003.

Bill continued to ski into his 70s and he loved many outdoor activities including ice skating, boating, clamming and fishing. Bill had amazing physical strength and endurance, and he could fix anything. He often said that if you could imagine something and draw it, then you could build it.

A master cabinet maker and craftsman, he designed and built countless pieces of beauty, including a summer home in Wellfleet. He was the owner of McKenzie Cabinet Shop in Needham where he worked until he was 75 and his body began to betray him with Parkinsonism.

Mr. McKenzie leaves his children William A. McKenzie II of West Yarmouth,  Donna M. McKenzie of Natick and Laura McKenzie Baker and her husband Tom of Whitinsville; his grandchildren William III, Eric and Andrew McKenzie and Robert McKenzie Baker of Whitinsville; his brother James McKenzie and his wife Lucia of Holiday, Fla.; his sisters-in-law Marie McKenzie Frederickson of Yarmouthport, Margaret Dugas of Norton and Evelyn Wolff and her husband Albert of Concord; his numerous nieces and nephews; and his Boston Terriers Lucy, Mollie and Nellie. In addition to his wife, Mr. McKenzie was preceded in death by his brother John and sister Helen.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., Natick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church, 44 E. Central St., Natick. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Bill's name to the Natick Service Council, 2 Webster St., Natick, MA 0760 or the MSPCA Angell Memorial Medical Center, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.

For condolences visit www.everettfuneral.com.