PLYMOUTH, Mass. — William J Cantara, “Bill,” 86, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on April 21.

Bill was born and raised in Biddeford and also resided in Long Island, New York, Falmouth, Maine, and Boston, Massachusetts.  He was a part of the White Cliffs Country Club Community for over 15 years.

He leaves: his beloved wife, Shirley (Wright) Cantara; his son, Stuart Cantara of Las Vegas, Nevada; and his daughter, Laura Kessler of Metuchen, New Jersey. He also leaves his three grandchildren, Brando Kessler, U.S. Air Force Patrick AFB Florida, Jordan Kessler, U.S. Coast Guard Burlington, Vermont, and Cameron Kessler, a freshman at Rowan University in New Jersey, as well as three nieces and four nephews.

He was preceded in death by sisters Dorothy Cote and Elizabeth Mathieu.

Bill served in the U.S. Army and was an honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia. He was a graduate of Biddeford High School. He graduated with honors from the University of New Hampshire, Class of 1953, and was a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity. He was employed by the New York Telephone Co. (Verizon) in New York City and was a member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers. He enjoyed all sports and was a loyal and very enthusiastic Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.

He will be remembered for his quick wit, infectious smile and loyalty to his friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco, at 1 p.m. May 19, 2017.