Pittsfield- William E. Jansen, 89, affectionately known to family and friends as “Sweet William” passed away peacefully on November 29, 2017 surrounded by his loving family and the caring staff at Craneville Nursing Home in Dalton where he has lived for the last four years.

Born in Pittsfield in 1928, Bill was the youngest child of the late Hazel Collins and Elmer Jansen. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Tufts, Loraine Marshall and Doris Ennis.

William attended Pittsfield schools and in 1946 he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces. While stationed in Tucson, AZ, he completed his education and specialist training and was honorably discharged in 1949 with the rank of Staff Sargent E-5.

Bill was employed at General Electric, Voltage Regulators/Distribution Transformers and retired after 30 years of service. He then went on to have several part-time jobs including working as a consultant for Berkshire Gas Company and as a driver for Haddad Auto. Bill most especially enjoyed bartending and catering events with his dear friends, Remo and Bertha Del Gallo and Gerry Doyle, Jr.

He was a kind, simple man, a devoted father and friend, generous in spirit, with a strong work ethic that he passed along to his children. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, vacations to the ocean, deep sea fishing trips, cooking, and his weekly pitch league at his favorite hangout , Del Gallo’s. Bill had a passion for tinkering with and fixing mechanical things, especially car engines. He loved helping his children with yard work and other projects around the house, and he was a proud lifetime member of the Dalton American Legion, Post 155.

Bill leaves behind his childhood sweetheart and beloved wife of sixty-eight years, the former Jennie Del Signore, with whom he renewed his wedding vows on February 1, 1964 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church with the Rev. Camillo L. Santini, Officiating.

Bill is also survived by his five children, all of Pittsfield, Patricia Mayhew and her partner, David Hinkell, William E. Jansen Jr. and his wife Judy, John K. Jansen, Barbara Smith, and Wendy Casey and her husband John, his five grandchildren: Todd Mayhew and his wife Amy of Pittsfield, William E. Jansen III and his wife Suzie of Peru, MA, Jennifer Smith of Broken Arrow, OK, Jacquelyn Casey of Pittsfield, and Garrett Casey of Colorado Springs, CO. Additionally, Bill is survived by six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was especially fond of his niece, Mary Louise Ferraro, who was like another daughter to him. Besides his sisters, Bill was predeceased by his son-in-law Arthur Smith and a grandson, Jason Mayhew.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Craneville Nursing Home for their compassionate care and support specifically during Bill’s last days; and they also wish to express sincere gratitude to Hospice Care in the Berkshires for their kindness and support.

SERVICES: Funeral Services for William will be private. For those wishing to pay respects, all are invited to join the family for a Graveside Service with Full Military Honors on Saturday, December 9th at 10 AM at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Please meet inside the gate.

The Devanny-Condron Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Jansen family with funeral arrangements.

Should friends desire, Memorial Contributions in Bill’s Memory may be made to SoldierOn, in care of the Funeral Home.

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