William Patrick Walsh, 74, of New Bedford passed away at St Luke's on October 20, 2025 following post-surgical complications. Born in Philadelphia, Bill was the son of the late Dr. Paul F. Walsh and Mrs. Patricia M. Walsh, and older sibling of the late Paul F. Walsh, Jr.

Bill was educated at Holy Family Grammar and High Schools where he and his basketball teammates, under coaches Jack Nobrega and Phil Correia, led many State championships culminating in finals at the Boston Garden. It was an exciting time in New Bedford's school boy sports history and as Gil Santos famously coined, "You Had to Be There."

Bill received a full scholarship to Saint Anselm's college in New Hampshire where he continued to play basketball. After college, Bill returned to the sports world and co-anchored a local cable sports program with NBHS football legend, cousin Pat Walsh. He worked for many years mentoring youth of Bristol County as a Juvenile Probation Officer and finished his professional career as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate at the Brockton District Court. Bill maintained many classmates' friendships throughout the years and recently helped to organize a 50th reunion with his former basketball teammates and their families. He was also proud of spearheading and organizing the Tom Barao Memorial Court at Ashley Park in honor of his good friend and former NBHS basketball colleague.

Bill was the family chronicler, always toting his cameras to record family reunions, dinners, nieces' and nephews' sporting events and he never missed a trick-or-treating Halloween with Anne-Marie, Karyn, Mike, and PJ. As recently as September, Bill again brought his camera to grand-niece Caroline's soccer game in Fairhaven keeping up the tradition with the next generation. "Uncle Billy really was the blueprint for how an uncle should be," said nephew Mike Folino.

Bill loved the holidays and became quite the expert in meal prep, the best cookery, the finest knives, and was overly generous sharing his culinary knowledge. He was famous for his line, "So, what you need to do is..." which we all loved - and loathed - in equal measure!

Survivors include sisters Atty Anne Walsh Folino (Greg) of Bourne, Alice Kinkead of New Jersey, much loved nieces Anne-Marie (Dave), Karyn (Neil), Tara, Kat and Patricia, and nephews Mike (Dana), P.J. (Sheri), Will (Jenna) and Conor (Selen), thirty-four first cousins, and many life-long friends.

Private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Please share your stories and memories of Bill on the funeral home website. Because of his life's work in helping the youth of Bristol County, please consider a donation in Bill's memory to the Girls and Boys Club of New Bedford, 166 Jenney St. New Bedford, MA 02740.