William “Bill” Leonard Wollerscheid was born to Josephine (Cunningham) and Arthur Wollerscheid on June 7, 1937 in Lynn, Massachusetts. Bill spent his first few years in Saugus, MA and moved to Swampscott, MA in 1943. Bill attended St. John’s Grammar School, and while there, joined the Boy Scouts. Bill achieved the highest honor of Eagle Scout in that organization in 1953.
Bill attended Swampscott High School and graduated in 1955. He attended Wentworth Institute of Technology and joined the Air Force in 1957. Bill was based in Texas where he attended Tech Training School. From there he went to Shepard Air Force Base where he worked in the legal office and attended basic aircraft and missile training. The highlight of Bill’s service career was assisting in the launch of a spacecraft. His service career ended in 1963 and upon returning to Swampscott, MA, Bill joined the Swampscott police department.
During Bill’s 25-year career as a Swampscott Police Officer, he attended the police academy and graduated from Northeastern University in 1981 with a degree in criminal justice. Bill was a member of the honor society, Sigma Epsilon Rho during his time at Northeastern University. Bill retired from the Swampscott Police Department in 1983. In addition to his service as a police officer, Bill was heavily involved with his beloved Swampscott. Over a span of many years, Bill was a Town Meeting Member, Treasurer of the Police Union, Commander of Post 57, Member of the Retirees PEC, member of a Traffic Study Committee, Member of an Ambulance Study Committee, Member of the Swampscott Club, member of the Beach Club, and a volunteer for the USO.
Bill married his childhood sweetheart in 1963 and leaves his wife, Mary “Mimi” Wollerscheid after an incredible 62 years of marriage. During these years, they enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and Hawaii, and loved to spend time at Disney World, Busch Gardens and other Florida attractions with their ever-growing family. He has three children, William Leonard “Lenny” Wollerscheid Jr. and wife Gretchen of Swampscott, MA, Patricia Ann “Patty” Norman and husband Ken of Peabody, MA and Heidi MacDonald and husband Rich of Middleton, MA.
Bill is also lovingly remembered by his 7 grandchildren, Ben Wollerscheid and wife Ericka of Salem, MA, Colby Wollerscheid and wife Cameron of Gaithersburg, MD, Emery Wollerscheid of Salem, MA, Maynard Wheeler and wife Jess of Madison, CT, Daniel Norman of Peabody, Anthony Dipietro of San Jose, CA and Taylor Dipietro of Swampscott, MA . Bill also leaves behind 5 great grandchildren, Arabella, Marcelina, Fiona, Jack and Mahala to carry on his legacy. Bill’s greatest joy was his family and his years of service to his town and country, which he spoke about with heartfelt pride.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:00AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 174 Humphrey St., Swampscott. Visitation will be in the Church, prior to Mass from 9:00AM-10:00AM. Burial will be in Swampscott Cemetery. The family requests that flowers not be sent, but those who wish are urged to make donations in his name to a charity of your choice.
