GRAHAM, William P. III

Loving life partner of Philip J Read for over fifty years, crossed over on, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Born in Lowell, Bill was the son of the William P. Graham, Jr. and Virginia Goudreau Graham. He was raised in Kittery, ME and had graduated from Traip Academy. Following high school, Bill graduated from the University of New Hampshire with his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.

Bill started his career in Boston, working with several retail stores and was a manager and buyer of gifts and silver for Daniel Lowe’s in Salem, before opening his own store, Beautiful Things. He specialized in floral arrangements, gifts and women’s accessories for over 40 years. Bill was able to express his creative, compassionate, caring and loving personality to all those who turned to him for his expert talents.

Bill enjoyed public speaking and conducted many seminars on floral design and fashion in the United States for many years. Bill and Phil traveled throughout the country and abroad. Their favorite place to visit was Greece, where they had visited seven times.

Bill was a needle point artist and was talented in the kitchen. He was a member of the Professional Floral Commentators Institute and was on the Board of Directors of the Salem Five Bank.

Surviving him in addition to his loving life partner, Phil; is his extended family, Maryann Curtin, Nancy Lian, Jill Messeder; his two godsons, Connor and Murphy Donovan; and members of the Milton and Nancy Read families.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at St.

Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4 Ocean St, Beverly at 11:00 A.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Memorial contributions in Bill’s name may be made to the Dana Faber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215 or to the charity of your choice. For additional information or online guestbook please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.