William J. McCarthy, 82, a longtime resident of Paxton, died on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 in his home after an illness.
     He leaves his wife of 45 years, Norma S. (Stone) McCarthy; his sister-in-law, Barbara A. McCarthy of Paxton; three nieces, Cindy M. McCarthy of Florida, Lynn A. McCarthy of Paxton, and Linda E. Royce of Minnesota. A brother, Phillip C. McCarthy predeceased him. He was born in Worcester, the son of William C. and Rose (Hosey) McCarthy and lived in Paxton for 60 years.
     Mr. McCarthy graduated from St. Peter’s High School in Worcester. He worked as a traffic engineer for New England Telephone Co. in Worcester for 38 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of St. Columba Church in Paxton and the Pioneers of America. He was a veteran of World War II and served as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot.
     The funeral service for Mr. McCarthy will be private in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park. A memorial Mass will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UMass Memorial Health and Hospice, 650 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605, or the Salvation Army, 77 Cambridge St., Worcester, MA 01603.