William “Billy” J. Dixon, 60, a long-time resident of Easthampton and formerly of Ruchazie, Glasgow, Scotland died on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Cooley-Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. He passed peacefully with the love of family near after a brief period of declining health.
William was born in Glasgow, Scotland on October 24, 1961 the son of Christina M. McKenna. After immigrating to the United States at the age of ten, his mother, Christina married Joseph P. Yarasavych and he adopted both of her sons as his own. Billy was educated locally where he attended Easthampton schools.
He was employed at Big E’s Grocery Store in Easthampton for twenty-three years as a member of the front-end staff until his retirement in 2019. Billy loved working there. You could see him every day walking to and from work. Always smiling, saying hello, happy to have a job and meaning in life. He was a fixture at the store and people would go out of their way to see him or just say hello. Prior, he had worked at Best Buy in Hadley as a stock clerk and packager for a year.
He enjoyed watching New England sport teams. Billy was an avid wrestling fan. He would go to games and matches whenever possible and collected sport and wrestling memorabilia. Mostly, Billy enjoyed being with his family and close friends. As a young boy he was one of the original members of the first handicapped Boy Scouts of America in Northampton. Troop 308 accepted all young men of special needs and were on the forefront in the early 1980’s of more than 100,000 handicapped Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in the country to follow in their steps. He was an athlete of the Special Olympics winning numerous medals in swimming and other events. He loved pets, especially his dogs. Billy stole the hearts of many with his genuine kindness for all.
Mr. Dixon is survived by his parents, Joseph and Christina Yarasavych of Easthampton. His sibling; Paul-Micheal T. McKenna and his wife, Lisa of Montague Center. Eric R. Bemis, Elizabeth T. Yarra, Christianna S. Yarasavych and David J. Yarasavych all of Easthampton. His three nieces; Bethany A. Demers and her husband, Jay of Turners Falls. Heather S. Looman and her husband, Jake of Buckland and Alison M. McKenna of Greenfield. A nephew, Dominic Slavis of Greenfield. In addition, he is survived by; uncles, cousins, extended family and numerous friends. Billy is pre-deceased by his sister, Cynthia A. Yarra who passed on December 6, 2000.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 4 to 7pm. in the Boucher-O’Brien Funeral Home. 7 Pleasant St. Easthampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021 friends and family are welcome to meet 10am. at Our Lady of The Valley Parish, 33 Adams St. Easthampton, MA. 01027. Burial will follow in the family lot at Brookside Cemetery, Williston Ave. Easthampton, MA. Flowers, notes, pictures or words of kindness will gladly be accepted. However, family has asked that in memory of Billy J. Dixon one do any kind of gesture of kindness for a person with special needs.