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William David Wyman, 83, formerly of Hampden, MA passed away of natural causes on Saturday April 24, 2021 at his Murrells Inlet residence with his loving wife by his side. David was born February 14, 1938 in Hyannis (Barnstable County), MA to the late Chester Wyman and Barbara (Williams) Wyman. He grew up in Osterville, MA, worked at the “House and Garden Shop” (owned by his Uncle Bob Sims whom he admired), and graduated from Barnstable High School in 1956 before serving for four years in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician. He attended Nasson College in Springvale, Maine where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Education and met Jane Hubbard of Newton Centre, MA who became his life-long best friend and wife. After David taught for several years at Williamsburg (MA) High School, they settled and raised a family in Hampden, Massachusetts, where David spent the bulk of his career (1969-1991) teaching Biology at Birchland Park Junior High School in East Longmeadow, MA. He was an excellent teacher, ran orderly and disciplined classrooms, shared his thoughtful curiosity and love of learning with thousands of students, and led the after-school chess club. He enjoyed earning his Master’s degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. After retiring from public school teaching in 1991, he taught part time in the science department at Western New England College. David was a devoted father and husband who tended to avoid social gatherings or the cultivation of a wide circle of friends, preferring peaceful explorations of nature with immediate family; hikes in the woods with his beloved Basset Hound Fred, canoeing various ponds and lakes, visits to Old Sturbridge Village or Hancock Shaker Village in MA, or regular trips to Vermont. As a father, he always shared these adventures and other fun hobbies with his sons, and later his grandchildren; including stamp collecting, model trains, and chess. During summers off from teaching, he and his family took regular camping trips to various sites in northern New England and eastern New York. David, Jane, and their dog Fred (and later Pugsi) particularly loved visiting Chester, VT as well as yearly trips with family to the Myrtle Beach, SC area. After retirement, David and Jane became longtime “snowbirds” travelling between SC and MA, and then permanent residents of Murrells Inlet in 2015. David is survived by his wife of 56 years Jane Wyman and their dog Pugsi of Murrells Inlet, SC; two sons Richard Wyman (wife Erin) of Old Lyme, CT and Scott Wyman (wife Lisa) of Honokaa, HI; grandchildren Julia, Conner, Nathaniel, Avery, and Oliver; and brother Donald (wife Linda) of Lake Charles, LA. A private interment will occur at a future date in Chester, VT. Goldfinch Funeral Home (Beach Chapel) of Murrells Inlet is assisting the family. The family expresses deep appreciation to Hospice as well as Home Care Assistance of Pawleys Island for their kind care of David in his final weeks. For those wishing to make a Memorial contribution in honor of David, the family suggests considering a donation to Old Sturbridge Village, Hancock Shaker Village, or Consumers Union (publishers of Consumer Reports magazine, which David considered a Bible, of sorts) which can be done through the organizations’ websites. One word to summarize David’s life: simplicity. He admired the Shakers, and loved their hymn “Simple Gifts” "'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight."

Tributes

William David Wyman

February 14, 1938 - April 24, 2021