Deacon William H. Cresswell

Cresswell, Deacon William (Bill) H., 81, of Boynton Beach Florida, passed away on May 27, 2015, with his family at his bedside. Deacon Bill was born on December 20, 1933, in Worcester, MA, to the late Harold K. and Gertrude I. (Carlson) Cresswell. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and served in the 50th Troop Carrier Squadron in the Korean War. Bill was a decorated veteran earning many metals, including the United Nation's Service Metal. Bill married Mary Rose Foresteire when he was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base on July 9, 1955, at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Miami.

After his years of service, Bill was a Sales Representative for Royal Bakery Company, American Greeting Company and a self employed salesman in the Better Gift Industry in Florida. While residing in Miramar, Bill was an active member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. He served as the Commissioner and Acting Mayor for the City of Miramar for several years. Bill was Ordained as a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Miami on December 14, 1996. He was the Director of Pastoral Services at St. John's Nursing Home for seven years. He is Permanent Deacon at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Boynton Beach, where he has ministered for many years in Pastoral Care. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, third degree, since 1960.

Bill was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Mary. He is survived by his four loving children, Cynthia L. Cresswell, William A. Cresswell (Marcy), Robert E. Cresswell (Elizabeth Gunther), Cherie L. (Cresswell) Andrewson (Tony) and his five wonderful grandchildren; Nichole, Casey, Kinsey, Madison and Conner.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald, and sister, Dorothy. He will be greatly missed and warmly remembered by many family, friends and those he helped through his ministry.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2015, at Boynton Memorial Chapel, 800 West Boynton Beach Blvd. in Boynton Beach. Contact Boynton Villager at 561-740-0380 for flowers. Mass of the Resurrection will be offered for Deacon Bill at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10935 South Military Trail, Boynton Beach, Florida, at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 5, 2015. A private burial service will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Royal Palm Beach at a later date.