William S. “Billy” Epstein passed away July 13 at the age of 87. He was the devoted husband of Ethel Epstein; former husband of Myrna Epstein; brother to Judy Epstein; and father to Marc and Annette Epstein, Amy and Paul Holt and Aaron Epstein. He was grandfather to Dana and Matt Starr, Zachary Holt, Paul Epstein (deceased), Avidan Edelsberg, Daniel Edelsberg, and Kerren Edelsberg. He was uncle to Melissa Lebow (deceased), Stacie Simon, and Adam and Lauren Epstein, along with great-grandfather to Syren Edelsberg.
Epstein started in the Promotional Products business at Pilgrim Plastic Products Company as an intern in the Northeastern University co-op program. Upon graduation, he became a full-time employee at Pilgrim and started his 45-year career there, retiring in 1998. Epstein took great pride in his role as executive vice president of Pilgrim, and took pride in mentoring employees along the way.
He was one of the founders of WRAPP-V (Worldwide, Roburn, Artmold, Pilgrim, Providence and Vitronic). WRAPP-V was the first traveling supplier group to award distributors’ volume sales within a particular period with incentive travel, planning incentive trips around the world. He was on the PPAI Board as chair, served on national committees, and also worked locally in the early years of NEPPA (SAANE). On the personal side, Epstein was a past master of the Adelphi Masonic Lodge.
Funeral services will be held at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington St., Canton, Mass., on Tuesday, July 17 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or MDSC Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress.
