William W. Catherwood Sr.

…nationally recognized Fly Tie tackle designer; 88

TEWKSBURY - Mr. William W. Catherwood Sr., age 88, an avid outdoors man and WW2 Veteran, died peacefully on Tuesday morning, November 19, at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington.  He was the beloved husband of H. Grace (MacArthur) Catherwood, who died in 2007.

Bill was born in Lowell, January 22, 1925, the only child of Robert and Alice May (Barbour) Catherwood, and was raised on the Catherwood Dairy farm in South Lowell.  During WW2, he enlisted into the U.S. Army, and would become a member of the 150th Combat Engineers Unit, under the command of Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army.  He earned the distinction of Demolitions Expert, Rifle Sharpshooter, and Machine Gun Marksman.  He personally earned six Bronze Stars with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and his division received a Presidential Unit Citation.  Bill remained a proud veteran throughout his life.

As an avid outdoors man, with a love for hunting, trapping, and fishing, he made his hobby his career as a Fly Fishing tackle designer, and had the nick-name the “Giant Killer” among his peers. He was a co-founder of United Fly Tyers, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Federation of Fly Fishermen for his contribution to the sport.

He enjoyed vegetable gardening, and raised livestock and poultry for a hobby. But his favorite times were moments with his family, especially his grand and great grandchildren.

Mr. Catherwood’s family were founding members of the Lawrence Street Primitive Methodist Church in Lowell, and he remained a faithful servant to the church throughout his life.

He is survived by three children, Robert E. Catherwood and his wife Ruth (Kincaid) of Stanley, VA, William W. Catherwood Jr., and his wife Catherine (Keith) of Tewksbury, and Alice E. Merchant of Lebanon, ME; a daughter-in-law, Nancy E. (Burke) Catherwood of Billerica; seven beloved grandchildren, Faith E. and her husband James Stevens, Robert B. and his wife Nicole (Cataldo) Catherwood all of Billerica, Patrick E. Catherwood and his girlfriend Morgan Shutters of Lewiston, ME, Melanie E. Catherwood of Billerica, Sarah E. Merchant of Lebanon, ME,  William R. Catherwood of Tewksbury, Deborah A. (Douglass) and her husband Scott A. Guyer of Gloucester; six adored great grandchildren, Derek, Ryan, Lucas, Alessia Grace, and Keira, Kathleen; his dear companion for the past five years, Andreé  G. Joy of Tewksbury; a sister-in-law, Eleanor (MacArthur) Anderson of Marshfield; a niece, Elizabeth (Mayo) and her husband Nicholas V. Melanchook of Saugus; a grand nephew Nicholas W. Melanchook of Saugus; and was predeceased by a son-in-law Harry Merchant.

At his request, visiting hours are omitted.  A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.  Memorials to the Lawrence Street Primitive Methodist Church, 1199 Lawrence St., Lowell, MA 01852 will be appreciated.  Arrangements are through the Tewksbury Funeral Home.  Visit tewksburyfuneralhome.com