William Sullivan, 61, died Saturday morning surrounded by his family, near the ocean that he loved so much. 

Bill was well-known throughout the Merrimack Valley for his interior painting and wallpapering business, and as the author of six children’s book. Many families spent their summer mornings at Smolak Farm to “stop for a story” with Sully. Bill’s creative spirit leaves a lasting legacy in his family and community. 

Born and raised in North Andover, Bill raised his own family in Haverhill, and remained devoted to both communities, whether by running for Mayor, sponsoring fellow AA members, or presenting about the writing process at local schools. At home, Bill was ahead of his time, teaching his children to meditate well before mindfulness was mainstream.

Though the last 16 years of Bill’s life were shaped by health struggles, he still managed to find joy: in his grandchildren—the first of whom was born on Bill’s birthday—a pizza delivery, or a surprisingly agile dive into the pool. 

Bill leaves his four children, Kelly, Kyle, Taylor, and Rachel, and their mother Coleen; his wife, Missy Smith; and grandchildren Harriet, Winslow, and Elizabeth. He is survived by his siblings, Margaret Sullivan Graninger, Courtney Belknap, Molly Sliney, and Joseph Sullivan; and predeceased by his parents, Virginia (Hart) and Joseph Sullivan. 

A funeral mass will be held Friday, August 16 at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Michael Parish, North Andover. Family and friends are invited to stop for a story with Sully one more time at the family home, 11 West Bradstreet Road, immediately after. In honor of Bill’s light spirit and love of fashion please wear your favorite bright ensemble. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI NH), where Bill's daughter is a volunteer family educator. 

In closing, a poem of Sully's that captures his spirit: "Sometimes, once we've grown and maybe matured, we forget the significance of breath, the power of a heartbeat, and the momentum of an olive branch."

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