Northborough – Wilford “Jim” Valentine passed away Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Beaumont of Northborough. He was 96.
He leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Iona (Morgan) Valentine. He also leaves his daughter, Jean Butterworth of Maryland, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Rita McCray Valentine, and their son, Dennis Valentine. He was also predeceased by his three sisters, Dorothy Putnam, Alice Shattuck, and Helen Porter, as well as his two brothers, Edgar and Russell Valentine.
Jim was the son of Wilford “Ford” and Florence Orvis Valentine. He was born on their homestead in Ringling, Montana in 1918 and moved to Northborough in 1920. He always valued his Montana roots.
He proudly served his country in the Naval Seabees in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Western Riders Horse Club.
Jim was a builder by trade. From 1950 to 1981, he built many custom homes and barns in Northborough. He also specialized in copper work and practiced his trade on church steeples and custom windows. He was a gifted master carpenter and artisan.
Jim’s funeral with military honors will be held Thursday, May 7, at 11 a.m., in Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough. There are no calling hours. A private burial will be held at a later date in the Howard Street Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Friends of Northborough Senior Center, 119 Bearfoot Rd., Northborough, Massachusetts 01532.
To share a memory or to leave an online condolence, visit www.haysfuneralhome.com.
