NORTHAMPTON - William James Sienkiewicz, 79, of 91 Prospect Ave., died Thursday, Aug. 21, at home after a long illness. Born in New York City Dec. 19, 1928, he was the son of the late Charles and Christine (Gabel) Sienkiewicz. He was educated in New York schools. He has lived in the Northampton area since 1946. Bill was a Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a driver for the former Potter Grain in Northampton for 20 years. Later he was a driver at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst for 25 years, retiring in 1990. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and wildlife. His wife, Pauline A. (Miller) Sienkiewicz, passed away in 2003.

He is survived by his stepson, David Hawthorne, and his wife, Joyce, of Florence; his three brothers, Edward Sienkiewicz, of Buchanan, W.Va, and Frank Sienkiewicz and Peter Sienkiewicz, both of Florence; his three sisters, Lillian Worth, of Fairfax, Va., Elizabeth Pelott, of Belchertown, and Roberta Reardon, of Whately; two grandchildren, Amy and Michael Hawthorne; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a stepson, Donald Hawthorne, in 1996.

Services for Bill will be private. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to the Highland Valley Elder Services, 320 Riverside Drive, Northampton, MA 01062. The Ahearn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.