William J. Foley

William “Bill” Foley, Sr., 74, passed away surrounded by his family on April 27, 2026, at Advent Medical Center in Palm Coast, Fla. Bill was born on October 28, 1951, in Fayetteville, N.C., to SFC Robert M. Foley and Blanche Foley. Bill spent his childhood traveling Army posts across the U.S. while his father proudly served the U.S. Army for 20 years, after which the family settled in Selden, N.Y.

After high school, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the destroyer USS Edson during the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, Bill earned a Bronze Star as well as a Meritorious Unit Commendation. It was also during this period that Bill welcomed his daughter, Christy, into the world.

Bill was honorably discharged from the Navy and settled back into life in Selden. Bill worked odd jobs in the area, including as a lumberjack and a fisherman. He was also an HVAC engineer during the construction of the brand-new Stony Brook Hospital on Long Island. It was during this time that Bill met Debbie Palmeri. Bill and Deb were married in 1977 and had five children -- Nicholas, Danielle, Meredith, Kaitlyn and William Jr. While Bill was building homes on the side and working at Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., the family moved to Rhode Island and decided the last house he built would be the home where they raised their kids, in Hope Valley, R.I.

While living in Hope Valley, Bill helped build Pawtucket Power, where he worked for many years. He was deeply involved in the community, serving as a Deputy Fire Chief with the Hope Valley-Wyoming Volunteer Fire District and as a Captain of the Kingston Fire District . Bill also contributed his time to the Hopkinton Economic Development Commission and was a devoted communicant of St. Joseph’s Parish. A 40-year Friend of Bill, he took great pride in helping others navigate the 12 steps.

Bill loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking the White Mountains of N.H., kayaking the Wood River, snowshoeing and hunting with friends in Maine, as well as riding his beloved Harley Davidson motorcycles. An enthusiast of ice cream -- Cherry Garcia was his favorite -- he knew all the best shops around.

Later in life, when Debbie was diagnosed with cancer, Bill never left her side, caring for her until her death in 2010. They were married for 33 years.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Blanche Foley, and his three brothers, Butch, Danny and Shawn. He leaves behind his children, Christy (Dominick), Nicholas, Danielle (Brian), Meredith (Jake), Kaitlyn (Nick), William Jr., and his sister Kathy (John), as well as eleven grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. from the Gorton–Menard Funeral Home, 721 Washington Street, Coventry, RI, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church, 1105 Main Street, Hope Valley, RI. Burial with U.S. Military Honors will follow in Wood River Cemetery, Nooseneck Hill Road, Hope Valley, RI. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Family and friends may share memories and condolences at www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com