William F. Washburn

1923 - 2020

William F. Washburn of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., formerly of Middleboro, passed away peacefully on June 4th, 2020. He was 97.

A lieutenant in the 351st Bomb Group of the Army Air Forces, Bill flew over 30 missions as a navigator in WWII. After the war, he moved to New York where he married his first wife Marie Bobb and was father to his son Rik. After Marie’s death, he married Jean Lashbrook and moved to New Jersey with her three children. In 1965 they moved to Middleboro where Bill worked his way up to become president of Robertson Factories. At his retirement in 1985, he became the president of the Middleboro Trust Company, helping them merge with Rockland Trust. In 1988 he moved to West Palm Beach where he spent the remainder of his retirement golfing, playing bridge and growing tomatoes. After Jean’s death in 2007, Bill married Ying Zhang and they could often be spotted eating oysters at Spoto’s restaurant.

Bill was sharp, quick -witted and seemingly always two steps ahead until the very end. He devoted his life to caring and providing for his family.

He is preceded in death by his wives Marie and Jean. He is survived by his wife Ying, his son and daughter-in-law Rik and Sue Washburn, his grand daughter and grandson-in-law Erin and Chris Griffith, his great-grandsons CJ and Wesley Griffith, his grandson William Washburn and his Miniature English Bulldog Terri.

A graveside service for close family members will be held at 1pm on June 11th. A proper military memorial service for relatives and friends will be held later this fall. Details will be posted here when they are available.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the 351st bomb group (351st.org).