William E. Palk III Obituary
William Edward Palk III, 67, died unexpectedly at his home Sunday January 5th, 2025. "Billy" was a life-long resident of Gloucester, attending Gloucester Schools, graduating from Gloucester High in 1975, and then attending the Stockbridge program for landscaping at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Billy was a successful businessman, operating his own landscaping company on the North Shore for the past 34 years. He took great pride in the North Shore estates he serviced over the years.
Billy was a generous and giving man, and his witty humor and easy-going style lit up any room. He loved to talk and tell stories, for Billy was rarely at a loss for words. Occasionally confrontational but never malicious, Billy developed many close friendships over the years. When he was not working, he could be found tending to his flowers and vegetables in his meticulously maintained yard and garden. And after a strenuous battle with the weeds, Billy would frequently head to one of his favorite watering holes for a cold one and friendly banter.
Billy was a man of many avocations. In his early years he enjoyed playing softball and was a skilled dart thrower in the Minuteman Dart League. Billy was also an avid golfer who enjoyed traveling, especially to the Dominican Republic. He was a staunch Patriot fan, traveling across the country for several seasons to see some distant away game.
Billy is survived by his wife Wendy (DeJesus) Palk, his step-sons Manuel and Miguel, brothers David and his wife Nina Palk and Rob and his wife Kate Palk, nieces Emily, Jordan, and Julia Palk, nephews Justin, Matthew, and Ryan Woundy and Anthony Palk, cousins Marcia Lufkin, Mary Frost, Marlene Burroughs, Scott and Laurie Blatchford, mother-in-law Velgica DeJesus, his first wife's sister Mary Silva and her daughters Alicia Stuart and Amanda Novack.
Billy was predeceased by his parents, Ruth and William Palk Jr., his sister Debbie Woundy and his brother-in-law Daniel Woundy, and his first wife, Pamela (Silva) Palk.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, January 13th at the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, from 4-7 PM. A graveside service will be held at Dolliver Memorial Cemetery in West Gloucester at 11:00 AM on Tuesday the 14th. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in Billy's memory, to Pathways for Children, 29 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930.
