WILLIAM J JOYCE

William J. “Bill” Joyce passed away peacefully on August 12, 2023 in Worcester at the age of 95. Bill was the son of John F. Joyce II and Sylvia (Bourget) Joyce.

Bill grew up in the Providence St./Union Hill neighborhood of Worcester. He graduated from St. John’s High School in 1946. He enlisted in the Army after graduation and served with the occupation forces in Japan just after World War II.

Bill then enrolled at St. Francis College, Loretto, PA, where he would meet his future wife, Peg. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in Economics.

Bill and Peg soon married in Loretto and started a family. After working in a steel mill in Pittsburgh for two years, Bill and family returned to Worcester. He had a 30 plus year career as an investigator with the Massachusetts Division of Employment Security.

Bill and Peg enjoyed their annual two-week summer vacations back in Loretto, reuniting with the large (Myers, Getz and Karabiac) extended families. And there were always those summer day trips to Hampton Beach and Narragansett Beach with Peg and the kids. Bill made every Christmas memorable.

Later in life, Bill became the sole and constant caregiver for his disabled wife Peg. After her passing, Bill relocated to Houston, Texas to live with his daughter Jacki and her husband Derek. Bill returned to Worcester recently for his own healthcare needs.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Peg in 2005 after 53 years of marriage and predeceased by his sister Doris Joyce, and brother Jack (John III) Joyce.

He leaves behind his son Frank Joyce of Worcester; his daughter Jacki Joyce Fritsch (Derek) of Houston; six grandchildren; Ryan Joyce of The Woodlands, TX, Lindsay Joyce of Worcester, Alex Fritsch of Houston, Joshua Joyce of Pawtucket, RI, Rachel Joyce of Boston, and Adrienne (Fritsch) Hamilton of Orlando, FL; three great-grandchildren, Sullivan of Worcester and Adrianna and James of Orlando, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was a friend to everyone and loved by many. He will be deeply missed. From his granddaughter Lindsay: “There was a stool waiting for you today Pap Pap. Here’s to a bottomless cup of draft beer and an endless supply of scratch tickets for your front pocket.”

Private graveside services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to St. John’s Food for the Poor Program, 44 Temple St., Worcester, MA 01604.