William George Anderson of Oak Bluffs died on March 5, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was seventy years old.
Bill was born on April 4, 1935, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to Arthur and Elizabeth (Kamhout) Anderson. He had two older sisters, Margaret (Anderson) Gillard and Arthur Anderson. Bill graduated from Grand Haven High School in 2011, where he played basketball, baseball, track and football. His football team won a state championship, and he returned to Grand Haven several times over the years for football team reunions.
After high school, Bill joined the Air Force and served in Italy, Turkey, and Libya, installing and maintaining radar stations. Prior to his overseas deployment, he was stationed at the Peaked Hill radar station in Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard. Bill had never heard of the island before, and the Vineyard was a very different place in the 1950s than it is now. He was stationed up the island in the winter with several other young men. Often the highlight of the week was when they were able to go down to the island to watch a high school basketball game. During one of those games, Bill noticed one of the Oak Bluffs High School cheerleaders. The beautiful Maureen Fisher caught his eye, and in the fall of 1956 they became engaged. Bill and Maureen were married on February 29, 1956, and were married for 62 years before she passed away in 2019.
In those early years, they worked hard, sacrificed, and raised four children in Oak Bluffs Harbor. They made many friends and entertained and socialized often. Bill was a volunteer firefighter for the Oak Bluffs Fire Department and coached his son’s minor league baseball team. He worked at Shirley’s Hardware, Our Market, Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard, and also worked part time on weekends. He installed storm windows, repaired appliances, and worked as a janitor. He always worked to provide a good life for his family.
In the early 1970s, the North Bluffs neighborhood in Oak Bluffs Harbor changed dramatically. Instead of a small beach in front of the family’s house, the breakwater was extended and the Island Queen began unloading up to 90 people every 300 minutes during the summer months. Bill and Maureen talked about moving, but Bill decided to rent a bike instead. The rest, as they say, is history.
Starting with 30 bikes and charging $3 per day, Anderson Bike Rentals was born. Over the years, all of his children and most of his grandchildren worked in the family bicycle rental business. His example of hard work and pursuit of excellence did not go unnoticed by those who worked for him. Many of his younger employees looked up to him and were inspired by his example.
One of Bill’s greatest joys was getting the whole family together for a meal or just spending time together. He was proud of times like these, when he looked around and said, “All my children are here.” He loved times like this. He and Maureen also enjoyed hosting dinner parties, hanging out with other couples, going out to dinner, kayaking, and traveling around the country together. Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was a great example of a man who valued his family. As Bill himself says, he’s had an interesting life.
Bill is survived by his devoted children, Dr. Kristen L. Anderson and her partner Eric B. Wilds of St. Pete Beach, Fla., William M. Anderson and his wife Doreen Anderson of Oak Bluffs, and Katherine Anderson Farrissey of Oak Bluffs; of Bluffs), Gretchen Anderson and her partner Benjamin Hall Jr. of West Tisbury; eight grandchildren, Matt Stamas, David Stamas and his wife, Erica, Andrew W. Farrissey and his wife, Maureen, Colleen Hickey and her husband, Patrick, Ian Thompson, William M. Anderson Jr. and his wife, Stephanie, Astoria and Olympia Hall, and great-grandchildren. five children, Jace and Noah Stamas, Liam and Emily Hickey, and Anderson Farrissey, and many nephews, nieces and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maureen. his grandson, William Anderson Parish; and his parents and siblings.
Interment at Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs on September 23rd at 11am with Dr. Rev. A graveside service will be held with Roger Spinney officiating and veterans of Martha’s Vineyard giving military honors. A reception will follow at the Portuguese-American Club.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cape Cod Hospice, Portuguese-American Club or a charity of one’s choice.
