William "Bill" Vetrano died peacefully on January 18th, 2015, at the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, MA, surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was born in Everett, MA, on January 25th, 1937, to Pellegrino and Maria Vetrano. After graduating from Everett High School, where he captained the varsity football team and served as class president, he entered Tufts University and earned a BA degree in Political Science. Bill enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program while at Tufts, and entered the United States Air Force upon graduation. Later, he received a Masters in Aerospace Operations Management from the University of Southern California. He also attended the University of Massachusetts and received an associate's degree in the field of Environmental Science.

Bill's military appointments included Associate Director, Missile Surveillance, and Test Director for the Advanced Ballistic Re-entry Systems. In the late 1960's, he served as Missile Site Commander at Kadena AFB in Okinawa. Bill was decorated for his outstanding leadership during twenty years of service. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1980, after which he worked at GTE in the Mace Missile Program, and later with the EPA in Boston.

After retiring from the USAF, Bill lived in Bedford with his wife of 55 years, Therese (Tricca) Vetrano. He leaves a daughter, Diane Vetrano (husband, Alasdair Halliday) and a son, Gene Vetrano (wife, Christine). Bill's son, William Frank Vetrano, died in 1998. Bill also leaves seven grandchildren: Nicole, Laura, Nicholas, Daniel, Kimberly, Jennifer and Patricia. He leaves his sisters, Mary Piantedosi and Justine Vuolo. Bill's brothers, Joseph and Frank pre-deceased him.

Bill will be remembered as one who took joy in the simpler pleasures of life, including wine, Italian music, nature, family and friends. He was an avid birdwatcher, outdoorsman, gardener and woodworker, and enjoyed playing a number of sports, including racquetball and golf.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, January 22nd, from 4-8 PM, at Bedford Funeral Home, 167 The Great Road, Bedford, MA. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Bedford Funeral Home at 9:30 AM on Friday, January 23rd, before proceeding to a 10:30 AM funeral Mass in St. Michael's Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, MA, and then to the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA, where Bill will be buried with his son, William.

Bill's family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the entire team in the GRECC unit of the Bedford VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org, or to the Alzheimer's Association at alzmass.org.