Colonel William J. McGovern RET, 95 passed away peacefully at home in Bristol Friday September 6, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Ann Hollands McGovern for 35 years.

Born in Providence on April 28, 1929, he was the son of the late William J. McGovern, DMD and Adeline W. (Gorman) McGovern.

Bill’s father passed away when Bill was just about 5 years old. His mother was left to care for Bill and his two sisters June and Ann. He remembers always feeling so much love even though it was just his mom there for them.

He attended Bryant College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Economics.

In 1951 Bill was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. After basic training he was sent to Counter Intelligence School in MD. He knew he was qualified to enroll in Officer Training School and applied. He graduated 2nd LT Infantry. He was then assigned to Fort Gordon, GA to assist others in his class in an effort to improve combat training for “non-combat units”. Success came quickly and his enlistment was extended 2 years. He then had the opportunity to be separated from his unit with honorable discharge which he chose to take and went home to RI. Upon his arrival, Major Pierce recommended him joining the 44th CACO active reserve unit where he was appointed the assistant to the Operations Officer. He rose to the commander’s position and was then promoted to Lt Colonel. It was recommended he attend Command & General College. After college he returned to his Civil Affairs unit and was later transferred to Civil Affairs Headquarters in Boston where he earned a promotion to Colonel. Bill served 26 years in the US Army.

Bill’s real estate career began when he was a sales agent and appraiser for Mason & Winograd. Bill obtained the designation of Senior Residential Appraiser. He was Principal/Owner of Northeast Appraisal & Consulting for 50 years. Bill was very involved in the real estate valuation profession and mentored many practitioners. During his long career he was called upon to testify in Superior Court as an Expert Witness numerous times on various issues. He was a recognized industry leader whose dedication and integrity led to his receiving the Lifetime Achievement award from the RI Commercial and Appraisal Board of REALTORS in 2018.

Bill served as an instructor for the Appraisal Institute the nation’s largest professional association of Real Estate Appraisers. He served on the board of directors of their RI Chapter, was their 1984 and 2011 President and served in other volunteer capacities at that organization. He was also an instructor at the RI Association of REALTORS and was named their Educator of The Year in 1995. He was also named Realtor of The Year in 1987.

Bill was a State Representative for the 29th District for two terms 1966-1968. He had run for Secretary of State in 1970. He remained active in politics throughout his life.

As a boy growing up in Edgewood section of Cranston, Bill had friends at the Edgewood Yacht Club and learned to sail there. This began his love for sailing/boating. He and Ann spent endless summers on their boat “Mistapproach” in and around New England visiting Newport, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Cuttyhunk, Boston Harbor and other ports throughout New England. Bill was fortunate to have enjoyed boating into his 90’s. Bill was an “Old Salt” member of the Bristol Yacht club for many years serving on numerous committees’ and volunteering his time there.

In addition to his beloved his wife Ann, Bill is survived by his sons, William J. McGovern, Jr and his wife Patricia of Springfield, TN, Kevin McGovern of Warwick, Brian McGovern and his wife Patricia of Warwick; his daughter, Maureen McGovern- Russell and her husband Robert of Stuart, FL; his sister, Ann Gavin of Warwick; and daughter in-law Lisa McGovern of Warwick, RI, Gregory Hollands of Bristol, RI, and Robert Hollands and his wife Patricia of Bristol, RI; his grandchildren, Kathrine, Michael, Patrick, Erin, Allison, Samuel, Shane, Marissa, Cassidy & Gabrielle and his great grandchildren, Charlotte, Isabel, Kiana, Rylee, Christopher, Sophia and James.

He was the father of the late Michael McGovern, the brother of the late June Crane and the former husband of the late Joan (Parmeter) McGovern.

Services are with Smith Funeral & Memorial Services, 8 Schoolhouse Rd, Warren, RI, where the family will receive relatives and guests for Visitation on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 3-7PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10AM in St. Mary of the Bay Parish, 645 Main St. Warren, RI. Burial will be at North Burial Ground, 1081 Hope St. Bristol, RI.

For directions or tributes, please visit: www.wjsmithfh.com.