William A. Hefler Jr., 85, of New Ipswich, N.H., formerly of Milton, died Jan. 18 at Pheasant Wood Health Care Center, in Peterborough, N.H.
Born in Chestnut Hill on Aug. 13, 1924, he was the son of William A. Hefler Sr. and Gerardine (Doyle) Hefler. He was raised in Milton and was a resident of New Ipswich since 1982.
Mr. Hefler was a graduate of Milton Academy and later Harvard University class of 1946. He was a World War II veteran serving in the Army Air Force as a B-24 bomber pilot while stationed in Italy. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the air medal with four oak-leaf clusters, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star, the American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He had achieved the rank of captain and squadron commander by the age of 20.
Mr. Hefler spent most of his business career in sales for Massachusetts companies, including Bates Corrugated, of Townsend, and Rand-Whitney, of Worcester. He later served as selectman for the town of New Ipswich for three years.
He was an enthusiastic yachtsman and competed in numerous regattas including the Marblehead-to-Halifax and the Newport-to-Bermuda ocean races. He was a member of both the Boston and New Bedford yacht clubs. During the winter months, he was also an avid skier.
He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Sarah B. (Doyle) Hefler; his four children, William III, of Quincy, Stephen, of Brockton, Megan, of North Hampton, N.H., and Gregory, of Milton; his sisters, Anne, of North Carolina, and Martha, of New Hampshire; his brothers, David, of Maine, and Peter, of Martha’s Vineyard; and his four grandchildren.
Burial will take place at a later date in Milton
Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Collings Foundation, P.O. Box 248, Stow, MA 01775.