William ‘Bill’ Lockwood Kingman, 94
William “Bill” Lockwood Kingman, 94, of Acton, died quietly in his sleep on June 23, 2025.
He was born August 21, 1930, in Medford to Henry Eugene Kingman and Helen Crandell Kingman. Bill grew up in Acton and graduated from Middlesex School in 1949. Bill earned a bachelor’s in economics at Yale University, graduating in 1953. While at Yale he participated in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, which included serving on summer cruises as a midshipman. He went into full service in June 1953 and was honorably discharged in June 1956.
Bill met his future wife, Nancy Barbara Dean, while they were in college. In March 1954 Bill and Nancy were married. As Bill was still in the Navy, Nancy joined him in Key West, Florida, where he was stationed. From there they went to Norfolk, Virginia, until Bill left the Navy. After Norfolk, they moved to Acton for a short time before purchasing their first house on Tuttle Drive in Acton. After about four years, they moved to Esterbrook Road in Acton, where they stayed for the next 60 years.
Bill’s first job out of the Navy was working in Boston, at Franklin Management, where his father, Henry E. Kingman, had worked. During his 32 years at Franklin, Bill served as portfolio manager and trustee and later as chairman. In 1989 he left Franklin Management to work for Appleton Partners, Boston, as a principal and wealth manager, and he became a mentor and friend. He brought to Appleton his years of experience in investment, tax management, trust experience, and leadership, which were instrumental in the company’s growth and development.
Bill was not one to sit still. After settling in Acton, he became a scoutmaster for several years. He became involved in using his financial expertise and people skills to help Acton’s Finance Committee, the Acton Water District Finance Committee, and the Acton Conservation Trust. Additionally, he was on Middlesex Savings Bank’s Board of Investment. From 1960 to 1976, he was a member of the Emerson Hospital Corp. He served as a trustee and later as board vice president for the Charlestown Armed Forces YMCA. From 1982 to 1993, Bill supported the Boston Port Seaman’s Aid Society by sitting on the board of directors and serving as president from 1992-93.
Although Bill was very active with work and charitable and civic organizations, he found time to have fun. He was an ardent sailor, having grown up sailing on his parents’ boats out of Marblehead. When his parents no longer had a boat, he spent the next 30 years crewing for a friend on his sailboat. They would compete in the Newport to Bermuda and Gloucester to Halifax races, as well as the Off Soundings Club races, which took place at various ports along the New England coast. Additionally, he was an active member and president for many years of the Nashoba Valley Hunt, where he pursued his love of horseback riding.
He was a member of the Union Club of Boston for over 50 years, as well as the Wardroom Club.
Bill loved his family, somehow finding time in his busy schedule to teach his children how to ski or ride horses, among other sports. He would support their chosen sport, showing up at a football game or gymnastics meet, still dressed in his business suit, to cheer on his children.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Nancy Dean Kingman. Bill leaves behind his children, Lawrence E. Kingman of Whitingham, Vermont, and Celena E. Kingman and her husband Kent Hoult of Lunenburg. He also leaves his two grandchildren, Martha Kingman of Whitingham and Sarah Kingman of Brattleboro, Vermont; and four great-grandchildren, Jordan, Christopher, Tate, and Nyle Kingman. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Bill was the brother of Deborah Kingman Ormsby and the late Sally Kingman Beal.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather for Bill’s memorial service on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. in First Parish, 20 Lexington Road, Acton Center. A reception will immediately follow.
Donations may be made in Bill’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Macular Degeneration Association.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence on Bill’s tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
