On October 28, 2023, William G. "Bill" Noke, 67, of Lunenburg, MA, formerly of Acton, MA entered Heaven following a valiant and heroic journey with metastatic esophageal cancer. Exceptional husband and most loyal best friend and "Sweetie" to Rebecca W. (Schuhmacher) Noke for twenty-six years.

He is survived by and will be forever missed by his children Walter (Michelle), William (Mabel), Samantha Hebert (Bob), Theodore (Kerri-lynn), and Gary (Zulayne).

Fun-loving and supportive grandfather to Matthew, Joseph, Samantha, Jennifer, Nicholas, Dustin, Madeleine, Mikayla, Emma, Zavanna, Riley, Abigail, William, Mabelita, Matthew, Aubrey, Mackenzie, and James. Blessed great-grandfather of Leo, son of Samantha and Sean born three hours prior to Bill entering Heaven.

Devoted son-in-law to Jill C. Schuhmacher. Cherished brother-in-law to Lisa, Kendra Bradley (Lonny), Jeffrey (Lorena). And adored uncle to Isaac Schuhmacher and Tyler Robichaud. Bill leaves and has previously lost an amazing group of both Hansen and Noke cousins. And also a large and loved extended family and the dearest of friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William G. Noke and Ethel J. M. (Hansen) Noke, his brother, Gary P. Noke and his father-in-law, Richard W. Schuhmacher.

"If you love your job, you never work a day in your life." This quote was Bill's truth. For almost forty years, Bill worked in auto body, 'retiring' from Stewarts Auto Body in Belmont owned by a man whose family we are a part of to this day. Less than a month ago, Bill renewed his Massachusetts Auto Body Appraiser's License. Early in his career, he was a Per-Diem Firefighter in the Boxborough Fire Department for thirteen years. Most significantly, he was honored and endlessly grateful to be a member of the Concord Fire Department, retiring in the role of Captain in January 2021. At the time of his death, he was an EMT and dispatcher at Patriot Ambulance. This May, he was voted 2023 EMT of the Year by his Patriot Family. His career positions at Concord Fire and Patriot were held for over thirty-five years and truly filled his life with joy and the dearest of friends. Until his retirement from CFD, Bill was also a valued member of the Massachusetts District 3 Hazardous Material Response Team. Shortly prior to his cancer metastasizing, Bill became a Traffic Officer with the Concord Police Department. Much to his disappointment, he was never able to report to his first shift.

Being unable to work throughout the last months of his cancer journey was crushing to him. What an unexpected honor it was for him to be transported home from MGH on his last ride by his Patriot Family and greeted by hundreds of family and friends at each of the Concord Fire and Police stations, his home away from home, and then at our home.

Our family will never be able to thank every member of #teamnoke💜⚓️. From our extended family to dearest friends, and newest friends, we have been completely surrounded by your love and support every day. Unbelievable, faithful, and consistent love. Concord Fire, Patriot, ABRSD and my Blanchard family, we love and thank you for absolutely everything. John, Tish, and Jose, Bill and I can't thank you enough for your personal care.

Most importantly, we are forever grateful for the most exceptional care Bill received beginning in Concord and throughout every adventure at MGH. Every single caretaker we came across treated Bill like he was their only patient. Dr. Roomi, Dr. Klempner, Dr. Schumacher, Dr. Zlotoff, Dr. Dougan, and all of their teams, our angel Deb Lundquist, Cardiac CCU, all staff on Ellison 19 and Ellison 16, especially our Case Manager, my sister Kendra, and her peers, I will be forever grateful.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center on Wednesday, November 1st from 4 to 8 pm. Bill's funeral service in celebration of his life will be held at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington on Thursday, November 2nd at 12 pm. Burial will immediately follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord. Officers and members of the Concord Fire Department will serve as Honor Guard.

For those who wish to view the video recording of Bill's funeral service, please click here .

Should you choose to honor Bill Noke, gifts in his name may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital in support of Esophageal Cancer Research, fund 234806. Gifts can be made online at giving.massgeneral.org . Please select "Make a Tribute" or mail to Meagan Coons c/o the MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Checks payable to Massachusetts General Hospital and please note "GASTRIC/ESOPHAGEAL CANCER RESEARCH fund 234806, in honor of Dr. Klempner" in the memo line.

Our family is truly blessed to have been guided, cared for, and loved by Bill, but we feel peace in knowing that he is no longer in pain.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.