William D Venter Sr

William David Venter Sr. (Billy) was born in Providence RI, son of the late Armond and Sarah Venter on December18, 1937.  Number five in a religious family of six children who all worked hard in the family business. Bill attended Providence Public Schools; graduating from Central High School in 1956, where he lettered in baseball, football, track, and wrestling.  He attended the RI School of Design and received a BA Degree from Swain School of Design a private art school in Bedford, MA. At the beginning of his service in the United States Army Air Defense Command USARADCOM as a Specialist, (Spec4), illustrator and painter; he married Patricia Ann Hurt from Cumberland, MD.  This union was blessed with three boys.

Bill worked as an Art Director for several firms including: Apex in Pawtucket RI, Wilson Epstein and Freedman (the largest retail Advertising Agency in Boston) and the Avco Corporation in Boston. He also worked for Geneva Printing and Publishing the largest black owned four-color printing & publishing company in the U.S. and became the VP and top salesman. In 1967, Bill moved to Boston with his wife and children where he started his own company called Boston Advertising and Associates Inc.  He provided local youth with internship opportunities; affording them access to his wealth of knowledge. Bill received several advertising awards and worked with clients such as Miller Brewing Co. of Milwaukee, Digital Credit Union, Polaroid Corp., Malmart Mortgage, Northeastern University, Harvard University and many others. 

Bill was active in several community organizations, including but not limited to: Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Union Lodge No.1, Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Inc., NAACP, Veterans and Friend of Gourdin Memorial Park and the Organization of Afro-American Veterans.  Bill loved sports. It was his love of young people and concern for their development that prompted him to coach and serve as Commissioner in Pop Warner Football for 15 years. Bill used his artistic talents to help his community as well. He provided in-kind services archiving major historical events by way of illustration and design.   

Bill was preceded in death by his sister Pearl and brothers: Armond, Howard, and Raymond. His beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of his wife Patricia Ann and his children: William David Jr. (Glen) of Boston, MA; Todd Andrew (Lisa) of Mansfield, MA; Jeffrey Steven (La Toya) of Boston, MA; his grandchildren: Drew, Jeffrey, Alex (Kilona), Jamari, Ciara, Lauryn, Christina and Joshua; great grandchildren Ahlaya, Israel and Peace; sister, Louise Venter McKay of Warwick, RI; sister-in-law, Margie Venter of Providence, RI; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation with family and friends on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 11-11:30 AM at Prince Hall, 24 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124. 

Celebration of Life service will start at 11:30 AM also from Prince Hall. 

William will be laid to eternal rest on Monday, September 23, 2019 with his best friend, his dear brother Raymond at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI 02906

To leave condolences for the family visit www.georgelopesfuneralhome.com

Arrangements entrusted to George Lopes Funeral Home, 821 Cummins Highway, Mattapan, MA 02126.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.