Shrewsbury – William James “Butch” Rand, 75, of Shrewsbury, passed away unexpectedly on March 13th, 2022.
Born in Leominster, Butch was the oldest son of James E. Jr. and Eleanor F. (McNamara) Rand and lived most of his life in Shrewsbury. He attended UMass Amherst and served in the Vietnam War as an Army Ranger.
Butch owned Rand’s Automotive in Shrewsbury for 42 years. He got his start in the automotive industry at working at his father’s gas station, Wilson and Rand, on Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury. An active member of the Masons, he most recently served as Worshipful Master. He also served as the Commander of the Ray Stone American Legion Post 238 in Shrewsbury. Butch loved skiing with his brother Dick, spending time at his lake house in Charlton, and traveling. The oldest of nine, he was always there whenever anyone needed him.
He is survived by his daughter Kristen R. Hennessy and husband Andrew of Lisbon, NH; brother Richard Rand and his wife Dawn of Northborough; sisters: Carol Gelinas and her husband Albert of Spencer, Karen Rand Pozzi of Shrewsbury, Cynthia Henderson and her husband Brian of Shrewsbury, Candy Rand Snyder of Strafford, NH, and Kay DeWolfe and her husband George of Millbury. He also leaves his partner, Susan Proulx. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Butch is predeceased by his wife, Sharon (Collins) Rand and sisters Cathy Bradshaw and Cheri LaPan.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours at the Chiampa Funeral Home, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, on Friday, March 18, 2022 from 4:00-7:00 PM
Funeral service will be held at First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations be made in Butch’s honor to the Shriners Children’s Hospital at lovetotherescue.org would be appreciated.
Interment with military honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. To view Butch’s online tribute, share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.chiampafuneralhome.com.
