Willard N. Rivers

Willard N. Rivers, Jr., 81, of Springfield, beloved husband for 51 years to Marialyse (Roy) Rivers, passed away peacefully on August 19. Born in Indian Orchard, MA on January 14, 1936, he was the son of the late Willard N. Rivers, Sr. and Floretta (Forgue) Rivers. Will graduated from Technical High School in 1954 and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Doane College in Nebraska. He served in the US Army from 1961-1967. In 1964, he met Marialyse Roy and they married in May of 1966 making their home in Springfield. Will worked for UniRoyal Tire Company in Chicopee for 15 years before the plant closed in 1980. He went on to work for Olympic Manufacturing in Agawam where he retired in after many years of service. Coaching and playing basketball was always a big part of Will’s life and he enjoyed playing in the Larry O’Brien Basketball League and coached CYO youth basketball for many years at St. Joseph’s Church. He was an avid bowler and also enjoyed golfing, especially at Agawam Municipal Golf Course. He also played softball for many years on the Western Mass Relics Softball team. He served on the USJB Regional Board since 2004.
Besides his wife Marialyse, he is survived by his son, Stephen Rivers of Florida; 2 daughters, Caroline Rivers of Colorado, and Jacqueline Rivers of Agawam; 2 grandchildren, Stephanie and Zachary Rivers; his sister Betty Daly of Michigan and 3 nephews, Shawn, Thomas and Brian Daly.
His family will receive friends on Wednesday August 23 from 4-7 PM at the Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam. His Funeral will begin on Thursday August 24 with a time of calling from 11:00-12:00 PM at the funeral home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM at St. John the Evangelist Church, Main St,, Agawam. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam.

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