William “Bill” Canon Jr., 84, passed away on November 4, 2024.
The son of William and Elizabeth (Dermody) Canon, he was born in New York City then moved to Greenfield when he was 4 years old where he resided for 80 years.
As a young boy Bill was a Boy Scout, achieving Eagle Scout in Troop 10 in Greenfield. He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1958 and joined the US Air Force where he served in Air Force Foreign Intelligence in Texas, Nebraska, Japan, Germany and Virginia until his discharge in 1966. During his military service, Bill graduated number one in his class from the US Air Force Cryptographic School in San Antonio, TX and held a Top Secret, Cryptographic, Special Projects Clearance. He also married his wife of 60 years, Phyllis (Ostroski) Canon during his USAF service.
After serving in the USAF, Bill graduated from Greenfield Community College where he started the first Veterans Club, set up a process for part-time student jobs, served as a student member of the College Finance Committee, and participated in the GCC Work Study Program to fund his schooling. Bill then graduated from the University of Massachusetts School of Management with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. While in college, he also passed the state insurance brokers exam and worked part-time for a local agency.
Bill retired from Balise Motor Sales in Springfield after 37 years as Vice President, General Manager, a member of the Board of Directors, and a minority stock owner. During his time at Balise, he graduated from the Chevrolet Academy of Retail Sales Executives at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and attended Chevrolet Management Course classes at Emory College and Oglethorpe University in GA. Bill served as President and member of the Board of Directors at the Country Club of Greenfield where he was an avid member for over 55 years. He served as a Director of the Spring?eld School Volunteers and as a business partner to Kensington Elementary School in Springfield. Later Bill also proudly served on the Franklin Country YMCA Marketing Committee and GCC Alumni Committee.
A generous man, Bill and his wife Phyllis adopted a needy family each year during the holidays. While at Balise, Bill joined a team from Balise Motor Sales to deliver Christmas presents and food to needy families at the Kensington Street Elementary School and after his retirement, continued to adopt families in Greenfield.
An avid golfer, Bill claimed to be the third best golfer in the family behind his wife Phyllis and son John. He was proud that his lowest round of golf, a 71, was also the lowest score of his wife Phyllis, son John, and father-in-law John Ostroski.
He played in the PGA Honda Classic Pro-Am with PGA Pro Dave Barr. Bill also played three holes each with Payne Stewart and Raymond Floyd of the PGA at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, NC.
Bill traveled extensively with his wife Phyllis while in the USAF and later for business or pleasure visiting locations throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and the US. One of his favorites and most recollected trips was one he shared with his son John when the two traveled to Japan.
Bill is survived by his wife Phyllis, his son John and daughter in-law Norma all of Greenfield, MA, his sister Lorraine Winslow of Dudley, MA, niece Helene Boldt (husband Greg) and great-nephew Ethan of Somers, CT, and nephew Michael Winslow of Lowell, MA.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. 
In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that a donation be made in Bill’s name to Courageous Strides Equine Therapy program (courageous-strides.org), a wonderful local program in Bernardston, MA that Bill’s son John is an avid participant in. Therapeutic horseback riding is an equine-assisted activity that emphasizes the strong bond between horse and human and contributes positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs, extreme anxiety and PTSD. Donations go toward scholarships that entitle veterans to fee-free participation. Alternately, donations may be made to Boys Town (boystown.org). Boys Town began as a home for wayward boys more than 100 years ago. Today, they are proud to be recognized as a national leader in child and family care, healthcare and research, helping at-risk youth and their families get a second chance in life. Boys Town held a special place in Bill’s Mother’s and Grandmother’s hearts and remained a cause that was important to him as well.
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.