Funeral Monday for Former Tewksbury Deputy Police Chief

The following obituary is courtesy of Tewksbury Funeral Home.

William D. “Bill” Layne, age 60, died peacefully, Wednesday, March 26th at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, surrounded by his family, following a two year battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband and best friend of Debra (Maguire) Layne, with whom he had celebrated a 23rd wedding anniversary this past July.

Bill was born in Chelsea, MA on April 16, 1953, one of four children of the late Warren W. and Elizabeth T. (Mackey) Layne. He was a lifelong resident of Tewksbury, and was a member of Tewksbury Memorial High School’s Class of 1972. He also earned a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

Bill enlisted into the Army after high school, served in Korea, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in the Military Police corps.

Bill was appointed as a reserve Officer for the Tewksbury Police on December 19, 1978, appointed as Patrolman on January 17, 1980, promoted to Sergeant on April 20, 1988, Lieutenant on September 12, 1994, and finally Deputy Chief on December 28, 2003. After serving the community as a police officer for 30 years, Bill retired from the force on April 16, 2008. During his retirement years, Bill enjoyed spending time with his wife Debbie, including long walks in the woods with their dogs.

Bill was an expert pistol marksman and an avid golfer. He was a member of the Tewksbury Country Club Tuesday evening “Divot’s” league.

Bill will be remembered for his devotion to his wife and family, and his town and country, which he so proudly served for thirty-three years.

Besides his beloved wife Debbie, he leaves two children, Michelle and Michael Layne both of Tewksbury; his siblings, Ret. Police Lt. Warren R. Layne and his wife Linda (Symonds) of Tewksbury, Ret. Westford Tax Collector, Cheryl Accardi and her husband Anthony of Lowell/Wells, ME, and Richard K. Layne and his wife Christine (Surette) of Pepperell; his mother-in-law and father-in-law; Claire (Cooper) and Douglas Maguire of Tewksbury, his sisters and brothers-in-law, Dr. Douglas Maguire and his partner Dr. Sue Fergusson of Dracut, David Maguire and his wife Julie of Lancaster, MA, Diane Daley of Tewksbury; many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews throughout Eastern Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire and Virginia.

Visiting hours were held on Sunday. His funeral will start from the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 31, for a 10 a.m. Funeral Service in the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, corner of Main and South Streets, South Tewksbury.

Burial with U.S. Army and Police Honors will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the MSPCA C/O Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830, will be appreciated.