Wilbur W. "Bill" Bullen
December 13, 1930 ~ March 14, 2023
PEABODY- Wilbur W. “Bill” Bullen, Jr., 92, passed away on March 14, 2023, at Kaplan Family Hospice House. He was the husband of Elinor (Goodman) Bullen with whom he shared 42 years of marriage.
Born in Ruston, Louisiana on December 13, 1930, he was the son of the late Wilbur and Odie Lee (Meek) Bullen. Bill was raised in the Waban Village of Newton, MA, and attended local schools. He was a member of the Waban neighborhood club and Brae Burn Country Club. He graduated from Kimball Union Academy class of 1950 where he was a three sport star, playing tight end and punting for the football team and winning a NE prep school basketball championship. He was a national ranked tennis player in his youth and never lost a singles tennis match in his 3 years at KUA. He attended Dartmouth College and left school after 2 years to serve his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War (52-56) graduating in 1958 from Dartmouth’s Tuck school of Business with an MBA. He played on the varsity tennis team while attending Dartmouth and continued his love of tennis playing into his 80’s and was never far from a court playing a game or giving a lesson. Bill spent his entire career in the insurance business and continued working into his 70’s making many friends along the way and doing what he enjoyed most working with and helping people. Family was very important, and he was proud of all his kids, grandkids and great grandkids whether in sports, school or life. His passions were riding his motorcycles, scuba diving, flying his plane and spending time in Madison, NH, at his summer home surrounded by his family and the annual Fishing trip to the Dartmouth College grant with his sons and the Sullivan family.
In addition to his wife, Elinor, he is survived by his former wife Jean Grant, sister Ann and three sons Wilbur “Tori” Bullen and wife Kathy of South Carolina, Douglas Bullen and wife Shari of Rollinsford, NH and David Bullen of Norwood, MA, grandchildren James, Jennifer, Shannon, Rebecca, Derrik, Ashley, Gavan, Chris, Brian and Brendan and great grandchildren Claire, Charles, Beckett and Pepper. He was predeceased by his brother, Jed and sister, Emily.
Wilbur’s funeral services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Kimball Union Academy, Advancement Office, PO Box 188, Meriden, NH, 03770 or www.kua.org/giving. Full obituary and condolences may be found at www.LyonsFuneral.com
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On behalf of Newton Highlands Congregational Church, we send our prayers, remember his kindness and connection here once-upon-a-time, and pray for all the family, friends and “echoes of love” that abide. He will be on our list for All Saints this November, and in the hearts of many long beyond that date. God’s peace be with you. (Ken Baily, pastor)
I believe it was forty years ago that Bill contributed a plane ride to a fundraiser for Newton Highlands Congregational Church. Bill took our sons, aged 8 and 6, on a plane ride to Hyannis and back — our older son was on a tight schedule to make a soccer game. We enjoyed Bill’s generosity and his enthusiasm for flying.
Jim Harper, Newton
Ive known Billy my whole life. He and my father were college chums and lifelong friends. My brothers and I grew up with the Bullen boys: fishing, shooting and partying, under the watchful eyes of our fathers. Billy was a great friend, mentor and father figure. We had alot of laughs and made memories that I treasure. He was a gentleman and a gentle man.
To my cousins, Tori, Douglas and David and Aunt Jean: I am very sorry to you and your families for your loss. I will always remember Uncle Bill when he brought the entire family in your big boat of a station wagon to Newfoundland, Canada in the early 1970’s. Although I did not get to know him very well I do remember him and I always thought he was a very friendly and genuine person. One of my favorite memories was a very large clam boil in our Aunt Hazel’s kitchen in Corner Brook. I am sure he relished every bit of that seafood treat. He would not leave the kitchen and the boiling pot until he knew they were ready to eat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Love from Cousin Ian and Eleanor Grant, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
Tori, Douglas,David, Aunt Jean & all the Bullen families,
We are sorry to receive the sad news of Uncle Bill’s passing and send our heartfelt condolences to all his loving family.
I have happy memories of a trip to Nl in 1970? that Uncle Bill , Aunt Jean & boys along with Janet Boswell ( maybe the right name) I remember a large vehicle filled to the max. Also, a big bonfire on the beach. Happy , fun days.
Here’s to a life well lived and fond memories shared.
Sending our ❤️ and prayers,
Gordon & Karen Grant
Corner Br. Nl
Having grown up in Waban I was was aware of the Bullen family from an early age. My parents were friends of Bill’s parents through the Waban Neighbrhood Club, and I was an Angier School classmate of Bill’s sister, Ann. Bill and brother Jed and I went to the same prep school (Kimball Union Academy) and over the years the three of us became close friends. I’m still paying for an insurance policy Bill sold me in 2002 and he always refused to answer my questions about he policy just to “pull my chain.”
When we would visit Bill and Elinor at the farmhouse” I would marvel at Bill’s navy as he had more boats than a marina. The Fryburg fair was a fall staple for for us and “Charlie’s Angels” never failed to be a draw.
Bill had a devilish sense of humor, and as the brunt of it on occasion, I always tried to return the favor which he graciously accepted. I will miss my old friend, as he was a wonderful man and a terrific husband to Elinor.
George Place
Wayland, MA
David, Douglas, Tori, Aunt Jean and families.
Sending love and heartfelt condolences to all in the death of Uncle Bill. I can remember as a young girl visiting Aunt Fran and Uncle Will in Curling, NL when Aunt Jean and Uncle Bill showed up on their motorcycles. I thought that was so exciting and glamorous at the time! May you be surrounded by God’s peace, comfort and hope during this sad and difficult time. Fran (nee LeMessurier) and Mike Langlois.
Uncle Bully, although not our uncle nor a bully and not sure how the name started, was always a fun and caring soul. He would always tease us with that mischievous smile. Many fond memories for us as he, Elinor and family spend the summer at Senior house, Purity Spring Resort. Always kind, always welcoming and always a man fun to be around. Many memories as I drive past your former home here, and fondest of all with your brother Jed. Rest in Peace. Not forgotten. Jean Potter Murphy and the Hoyt Family, East Madison, NH.
Love to the Bullen family from your next door neighbor in East Madison, NH.
We always associated the start of spring with Bill’s arrival at Senior house, usually around early April. Back in the early years, it was just for weekends and vacation weeks but as time went on it became April to October. Bill and the rest of the Bullen family were always a welcome addition to the neighborhood for Jane and I. Bill always had the house and grounds looking perfect! During summer camp season you could find Bill at the tennis courts at Camp Tohkomeupog, giving lessons to campers. Elinor planted wonderful perennial gardens; we still harvest some rhubarb from the vegetable bed. We will truly miss Bill, but look forward to the wonderful family he leaves behind continuing to summer at Senior house . Bob and Jane Gillard