WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  

Lt. Colonel Fred Ley Obituary

Lt. Colonel Fred Ley, 90, of Sweetwood, 1611 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown MA died peacefully at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center on Friday, January 14, 2022. Fred was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on September 9, 1931, the son of Reverand Noah L. Bess and Lucy Ann Bess.

Fred grew up and spent his first 50 years in Wisconsin. He graduated from Ripon College in 1953 and was ordered to active military duty and served in the Army until 1955. Fred continued to serve alternating between the Wisconsin National guard and the Army Reserve. He retired after 30 years as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve.

As a civilian, he taught at St. John’s Military Academy, the Wisconsin School for Boys and ended his teaching career at the Ethan Allen School, Wisconsin Division of Corrections.

Fred married his wife, Janet Wallace Ley, in 1982 and chose to take her name. They moved to Green River Road in Williamstown in 1983. Both became involved in the community, Janet as a docent at the Clark Art Museum and Fred as a member of the Williamstown Rotary Club. Fred served many roles in the Rotary Club. He served two terms as President, was a District Governor Representative, edited and published the newsletter for many years and chaired the art auction for 28 years. Fred was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and was the recipient of the Service-Above-Self and the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Fred and Janet moved to Sweetwood in 2007. Fred quickly became an active member of the Sweetwood community. He was often seen snapping pictures of his fellow residents which he happily shared with all. Where Fred saw a need, he would step in to assist. He produced two issues of the Resident Directory and served as a member of the Resident Council for several years and was the Council Representative to Massachusetts Life Care Residents Association (MLCRA).

Fred is survived by his step-daughter Maria Penberthy and her husband Ned Penberthy; two step-sons: Mark Alkiewicz, his wife Jennifer Alkiewicz and Christopher Alkiewicz, his wife Ella Alkiewicz, and four grandchildren Kristen Penberthy, Elizabeth Penberthy, Andre Alkiewicz and Reggi Alkiewicz, as well as Hania Williams whom Fred and Janet lovingly referred to as their “walk-in daughter” and her two daughters Nicole Smalley and Kristina Williams.

A Memorial Service and a private burial will be held in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Club of Williamstown Foundation Inc. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.