William P. “Bill” Leyden – 85, of North Reading and formerly of Somerville, died unexpectedly at his home on December 27, 2021. He was the beloved husband of the late Ruth (Bjork) Leyden.

Born in Somerville, MA on September 4, 1936. He was the son of the late Thomas and Catherine (Cullen) Leyden. He attended St. Joseph School in Somerville and was a graduate of Don Bosco High School in East Boston. He later attended Newbury College.

Bill was a proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean War. He was a Corporal and served from 1953 to 1956.  He later worked as a Heating Supervisor for the Boston Housing Authority and ABM at Logan Airport.

He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 36 years and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church. He was a life member of the Mass. Beach Buggy  Association, he loved drive and fish the beaches of Cape Cod, Bill enjoyed fly and saltwater fishing. He was a longtime member of the Malden Anglers Fly Fishing Club and a member of the American Legion.

He was the loving father of Deborah Leyden of Amesbury and William M. Leyden and his wife Joan of North Andover;  stepchildren, Sandy and William Boulanger of Chichester, NH, William and Julie Kennedy of Derry, NH; grandfather of Kelly and Megan Leyden of North Andover, Sean and Emily Kennedy of Lee’s Summit, MO and Laura Pezone  and her husband Mike of Sunapee, NH; great grandfather of  Levon Pezone and Onyx Kennedy; he was the dear brother of the late Mary Travaglia, Francis Tassinari, Catherine Orlando, Alice Lynch,  Helen DiFraia; Lorraine Bennett, Robert and Thomas Leyden.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to U.S. Marine Toys for Tots, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association. www.croswellfuneralhome.com