William J. Cronin, 83, of Worcester, died Sunday, Sept. 20 at Christopher House after a brief illness.

His wife of 38 years, Claire W. (Grady) Cronin, died in 1992.

He leaves three sons, William J. Cronin Jr. and his partner Barbara Finney, Terence Cronin and his wife Linda Snow, and Kevin Cronin; a grandson, Sam Snow-Cronin; and a sister, Nancy Sadler. His sister, Elizabeth A. Cronin, died in 2004.

Bill was born in Worcester, son of William P. and Elizabeth M. (Neville) Cronin, and lived in Worcester all his life.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was a 1950 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross.

Bill owned and operated a family business and was a real estate agent for many years.

The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.