William E. Mayer

Smithfield - William E. “Billy” Mayer of Smithfield, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 15, 2019.  He is survived by his cherished daughter, Sylvie E. Mayer and her mother, his good friend and former spouse, Mary Ann E. (Rao) Mayer.  He leaves two loving siblings, his sister Ingrid and her husband William Mercer of Lincoln, RI, and his brother Carl Peter and his wife Mary Ann (Maitland) Mayer of Sharon, MA.  Billy is also survived by a niece, Erika Mercer, of Chicago, Il. and her family.

Born June 25, 1954, in Pawtucket, William was a son of the late Willy E. and Elfriede M. (Kanzler) Mayer.  He graduated from Lincoln High School and Lowell Institute of Technology.  An industrial engineer, he retired from a long career at New England Paper Tube Co., Pawtucket, where he’d worked closely with his father for many years.  He had lived in Smithfield since 1996, previously residing in Johnston and Lincoln. 

Billy spent a lot of time on the Maine coast, in Florida, and the White Mountains.  He had been an avid skier (water and downhill), boating enthusiast, and was still a passionate, highly skilled antique auto restorer. “Live, drive, and learn,” he’d say.  Billy loved working around his yard and on his many vehicles.  He also had a deep, life-long connection to music.

 Billy will be remembered for his generosity, boundless energy and curiosity, keen intelligence, great sense of humor, as well as his resilience.  He loved people and people were drawn to his warm, affable nature.  Billy was a do-er, inspiring many by the ways he lived his belief that “the heart is happiest when the head and hand work together.”  He even loved constructing language –crafting and sending messages full of philosophical musings, emojis, and humorous sayings in both German and English.  His special way of expressing loving gratitude to the people in his life will always be remembered.

His funeral service will be held Friday, November 29, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 445 Elmwood Avenue, Providence.  Relatives and friends are invited.  Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.  His burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 would be appreciated.  Arrangements with Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.

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