William (Bill) Osborn passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2024 after a long and defiant fight with cancer.

For nearly 50 years, Bill and his beloved wife, Suzanne May Osborn, worked side by side, infusing their artistic flair into every project they undertook. Bill's legacy lives on through the beautiful structures they created and the countless lives they touched with his handiwork.

Bill's life journey began in the arts.  He drew and painted and played the flute.  Bill took these interests to Yale, where he earned his undergraduate degree in History, the Arts and Letters and played in the Yale band, followed by a graduate degree in Architecture at the GSD. His career was anything but typical.  He thrived as a hands-on historical architect, passionately dedicating his life to his craft. His daughter Beth said he was the only adult she knew who could get dirtier than a 2-year old.

A lifelong and intrepid learner, Bill fearlessly assumed he could figure it out—whatever the problem.  He first learned how to give new life to old post and beam construction when he and Suzanne moved to Vermont to be closer to his daughter Beth.  Later, he took his grad school learning to the Virgin Islands and applied it to the uniquely challenging method of concrete construction used in the Caribbean.  In all, Bill designed, built, or renovated close to 50 properties across Boston, Cambridge, Vermont, Cape Cod, St. John,VI, and Florida.  In an attempt to "slow down" (Bill never really got that concept!), Bill and Suzanne started a solar array installation business ensuring that Bill was still climbing around on roofs well into his 70s.

Bill was always humble about his talents and accomplishments and didn't draw much attention to himself.  People who took the time to look beyond the pocket tee and worker's cap were rewarded with his wry humor and amazing depth of knowledge and practical ability.  On the tennis court, Bill was a skilled competitor, enjoying his lifetime sport with his wife Suzanne and the many friendships he developed on the court. He was also known to be a patient teacher, whether offering impromptu tennis lessons to friends and family, or showing his grandchildren how to pound a nail into a spontaneously-built treehouse. At the end of a day filled with work and activity, he enjoyed the music of Mozart, Beethoven  as well as modern artists.

Bill was the youngest of five children. Born in Washington DC , He is predeceased by his father and mother, Robert and Ilah Osborn, and three of his siblings, Mary Gallwey, Robert Osborn, and Michael Osborn.  He is survived by his wife Suzanne, his daughter Beth Osborn Payer and her husband Chris, his two grandchildren Hudson and Ella Payer, his sister Alice Lukac, and many nieces and nephews.

Even while undergoing cancer treatment, Bill was vibrant to the end. He would come home from the hospital and pick up his tools. When he reluctantly had to give up manual labor, he remained the go-to guy when there were problems to-solve.  He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing

him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the burial at Mount Auburn Cemetery,

580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138 on November 8, 2024 at 2 pm.

The burial will be followed by a reception to celebrate Bill's life at Wright-Locke Farm, Winchester, MA 01890.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Dana Farber Institute or Cape Cod Health (both organizations provided excellent care for Bill) or Habitat for Humanity.

Today well-lived

makes every yesterday a memory of happiness

and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day, --Ancient Sanskrit Poem