Obituary: William Dibble, 73, Of Chelmsford

CHELMSFORD, MA – William "Bill" Dibble of North Chelmsford passed away Saturday, July 28, after losing a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.

Born September 18, 1944 in Minneola, New York, oldest son of the late Vernon Hebert Dibble and Dorothy Fisher (Smith) and preceded in death by his only sibling, brother Patrick H. Dibble.

Bill grew up in Northern Virginia. Along with his father and brother, Bill was active in the Boy Scouts of America. Both he and his brother achieved the distinction of Eagle Scout. He continued to be active in Scouting with his own son, serving as Scout Master of Matt's Cub Scout Troop in Billerica.

After graduation from High School, Bill enlisted in the Air Force serving from 1962-1966. In 1968, he became employed by The Raytheon Company. While working for Raytheon, Bill traveled extensively working on both the Hawk and Patriot missile programs. He held the position of International Program Manager for Patriot Missile Systems at the time of his retirement in 2010 after 42 years at Raytheon.

During his retirement, Bill loved spending time with family, friends, and especially his grandchildren at the family beach house. He continued to enjoy traveling abroad, as well as, taking his grandchildren for their first trip to Disney World.

He is survived by his wife Janice Marie (Kirkland) of North Chelmsford with whom he shared 37 years of marriage, daughter Kristen Lee Dibble of Worcester, son Matthew Jason Dibble and his wife Suzanne of Methuen and daughter Jessica Rae Wiggins and her husband Chester of Bedford. Bill also leaves behind four grandchildren, Jason Matthew, Kaitlyn Elizabeth and Emily Grace Dibble of Methuen and Mason Lee Wiggins of Bedford all of whom meant the world to him.

Visiting hours will be held in the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD, on Friday, August 3 from 9:00-11:00 AM. A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home following the visitation at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bill's memory to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Mall Rd., Burlington, MA 01803 or to the Lung Cancer Alliance, P. O. Box 418372, Boston, MA 02241. For directions and online condolences visit CHELMSFORDFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.

Obituary and photo courtesy of Blake Funeral Home