William "Bill" Mankin

West Brookfield - Bill Mankin, 82, died peacefully on Monday, August 24, 2020, with family by his side, in person and virtually.

Mr. Mankin leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Linda (Ross) Mankin, and their six children: Richard Mankin and his wife Laura of New Braintree; Wendy Correll and her husband Richard of Ann Arbor, MI; Stacey Simons and her husband Billy of Ware; Travis Mankin and his wife Melinda of Ware; Courtney Troiano and her husband Gary of Vicenza, Italy; and Tori Bourgeois and her husband Jason of Rutland.  He leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Ashley (Troiano) Starcke, Jeremiah Mankin, Leeya Correll, Allison Correll, Caleb Mankin (Kelsey LaRosa), Aidan Troiano, Claire Troiano, Ryan Troiano, Cooper Bourgeois, Sophia Mankin, and Benjamin Bourgeois. He also leaves behind three great-granddaughters, Julie Starcke, Charlotte Mankin and Maddison Echt.  

Bill was born in Arlington, Virginia, to the late Richard B. Mankin and Alberta C. Eichelberger. He is a United States Navy Veteran of the Post-Korean Conflict, where he served on the U.S.S. Wisconsin and Iowa Class Battleship.

Following his service, Bill and Linda raised their family in the area, settling in West Brookfield forty years ago. Bill worked at several local businesses, including the Barre Wool Combing Company, Barre Highway Department, Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield Housing Authority, and Hardwick Post and Beam. He could fix or repair nearly anything, no matter how large or small. Bill was an avid sportsman, having learned to hunt and fish as a child. He passed this knowledge on to his children, grandchildren, and many of their friends.  

At his request, funeral services will be held privately with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Sunderland. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or at www.stjude.org/ or the Wickaboag Sportsmen Club.

Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield is assisting his family with arrangements.  An online guest book is available at varnumfuneralhome.com