William “Bill” H. J. Chaff Jr., 79, of Lawrence, MA died Sunday, July 26, 2015 with his family by his side.

Born in Lawrence, October 15, 1935 to the late William and Irene A (Mailhot) Chaff. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1953.

Bill was an accomplished professional musician who began his career at the age of 8 yrs old. He was the manager of Knuepfer & Dimmock in Lawrence, freelance musician at Jimmy’s II in Lowell and other local restaurants. He taught piano to many local students, and was a church organist for various churches in Lawrence. Most currently, he was the church organist at First Parish Church of Billerica for more than 30 years.

He met Barbara E Hill through his late sister, Mary and married in 1955. They have been together for 63 years and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 14, 2015.

They enjoyed camping, fishing. They loved to travel and have visited all 50 states and over a dozen countries. He had many hobbies including building model trains, gardening and making Christmas ornaments.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his five children, Donna & Robert Specian of Hudson Mass., Ellen & Jerry Davis of Phoenix Ariz., William & Debra Chaff of Hampstead N.H., Catherine & Gary Gable of Methuen Mass., and Susan & William Caron of Orono Maine.  He is survived by his loving grandchildren, Krista & Matthew Hill, Kevin M. Chaff, Vasily A. Specian, Natalya K. Specian, Amanda R. Gable, Melina M. Gable and Christianna E. Gable and many step-grandchildren.  His loving great grandchildren: Sophia A. Hill. He was predeceased by grandson, James. He is also survived by his siblings: Albert and Rosemarie Chaff, Irene and Ronald Bergeron, John and Josie Chaff, Henry and Sally Chaff, George Field and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sisters Mary (Chaff) Field and Claire Chaff.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, July 31, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the chapel at The Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH. A funeral service will be held the following day, Saturday, August 1, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Piano/Organ fund at First Parish Church of Billerica, 7 Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821 or Methuen Ranger Band Parents Association, Post Office Box 21, Methuen, MA, to keep his love of music going to generations. To send an online condolence, please visit, www.dewhirstfuneral.com or www.facebook.com/DewhirstFuneralHome.

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