William S Thayer

William Sumner Thayer, 90, of Marshfield, MA passed away on October 12, the day after his 90th birthday. Born in Duxbury, MA, second son of Elmer Sumner Thayer and Emily (Bowman) Thayer, he graduated from Duxbury High School in 1952, and from Amherst College in 1956, then went into the Navy, after which he earned his Architecture degree at M.I.T. in 1965, and then settled into an historic home in Hingham, MA to raise his family. Bill was employed by several architecture firms in the Boston area including TAC, CBT, and Perry Dean. Eventually, he pursued his passion and formed his own company, designing and restoring many new and historically significant buildings in Hingham and surrounding towns.

Even with a young family, he consistently volunteered his time and architectural expertise to local historic projects in several South Shore towns. He also forwent his desire for a green lawn and built a playground in the backyard for all the neighborhood kids to enjoy. He was an active member of the New North Church for more than 50 years. As a trumpet player, Bill played with the Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra, performed Taps at events for the local Veterans’ organizations, and neighbors fondly remember him leading a group of carolers around their Hingham neighborhood, spreading joy at Christmastime. After retirement Bill and his wife moved back to the town where he grew up, Duxbury, MA. Having rowed in college, Bill continued this interest at Duxbury Bay Maritime School where he participated in the Veteran’s program there right up until his last days. He and his wife also enjoyed taking part in local bicycle rides with other avid cyclers, and "bike and barge" trips across Europe. In his later years he enjoyed puzzles, crosswords, gardening and “tinkering” at his home.

He leaves his wife of sixty years, Marion (Vermilye) Thayer, and three children, William Bowman Thayer, Christopher Vermilye Thayer, and Katharine Emily Thayer, six grandchildren, Rye, River, Will and Alice Thayer, and Hunter and Austin Thayer Gaenicke, as well as three nieces, Deborah “Jinza,” Sarah and Rebecca Thayer. He was predeceased by his brother Nathaniel and his brother’s wife, Marguerite. Bill loved his family, architecture, and “building things” (mostly in wood). Services will be held at the New North Church, 1 Lincoln Street, Hingham, at 11am the Saturday after Thanksgiving. En lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the William S. Thayer Veterans Rowing Program, a program named in Bill’s honor at the Duxbury Bay Maritime School (DBMS). Donations may be mailed to DBMS at 457 Washington St. Duxbury, MA 02332 or made online at dbms.org/donate. DBMS is designated by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization (EIN 04-3348183). All donations made to DBMS are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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