William Anthony Coleman

Portsmouth, RI - William A. Coleman, 78, of 223 Mail Coach Road, Portsmouth, died Friday, April 30, 2004 at St. Annes Hospital Fall River, MA.He was the husband of Bertha Mae Picard Coleman of 54 years. Born in Fall River, MA on November 6, 1925, he was the son of the late William and Eva Maria LaBonte Coleman. Mr. Coleman had been a resident of Portsmouth since 1970. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in Europe with the 94th Infantry Division. He fought in the following campaigns, Northern France, Centeral Europe, Rhineland, Ardennes Battle of the Bulge with 5 battle stars. He received the Combat Infantrymans Badge, the Purple Heart, The Bronze Star, and the French Overload Medal that was presented to him 2 years ago and other commendations. Mr. Coleman was a charter member of Father Joseph Boera Council 475 Knights of Columbus of Tiverton, the Oliver Hazard Perry 1812 Military Order of Purple Hearts, a life member of Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Combat Infantry Association, the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, and the 94th Infantry Divison Associates. In 1990 he retired from Century Technologies. He previously worked for the former Anderson Little Company and Child World in Middletown, RI.Besides his wife he is survived by his brother Thomas J. Coleman of Dartmouth, MA and his sister Rita M. Brinkley of Spokane, WA and his mother in-law Millrena Picard of Middletown, RI.His funeral will be held on Monday, May 3, 2004, at 9:00AM, from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00, in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Marys Churchyard in Portsmouth.Donations in his memory may be made to the VFW, Post 5390, 822 Anthony Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.