William J. (Bill) Stafursky, 70, died at home on Nov. 1.

He was born in Greenfield on March 28, 1948, to Bill and Norma Stafursky and attended junior college until 1967. When he realized that he would be drafted, he enlisted in the Army. He was wounded within months of arriving in Vietnam and finished his tour as a sergeant at Fort Dix, N.J.

In 1971, he moved with his young family to the Island and started working as a printer at DaRosa’s. Throughout the 43 years of working as a printer, he befriended many and became known to the Island businesses, schools and government communities.

In 1979, Bill married his wife, Margaret, a Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School teacher. They lived in Oak Bluffs for 40 years during which he actively worked on town boards and community projects. Bill became a Mason early on in life and he served on the Tisbury Planning Board. He often said that Oak Bluffs was the only town for him. He was on the volunteer fire department of Oak Bluffs, the Oak Bluffs Finance Committee, the Oak Bluffs Democratic Committee and the M.V. Democratic Committee.

From 1978 to 1996, Bill was the co-promoter with his wife of the Tour of Martha’s Vineyard Pro-Am Race held annually on Tivoli Day in September. During his realtor work with Wallace & Co., Bill became involved with the development and building of the Vineyard Golf Club. He helped with the process of getting the project through numerous boards and commissions on Island and was proud to be a part of making it an award-winning organic course. Later, as an honorary member, he enjoyed improving his game.

He also enjoyed the nature of the Vineyard, especially going to State Beach with his family and grandchildren. In his later years, Bill enjoyed his travels out West to the Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon national parks.

In later years, Bill served on the Elderly Housing Board and joined the Oak Bluffs Affordable Housing Committee with a special interest in veteran housing. He was a member of Martha’s Vineyard Mediation and often helped veterans with legal and court proceedings as an advocate and mediator in jail or court.

His last three years as the veteran’s program director at Community Services were special to him. He was devoted to helping and caring for the veterans on the Island. He started the veteran identification card program, coordinated dinners, organized the performances of the award-winning play, Occupied Territories, and drove veterans to Providence for their VA appointments. The strength and love he showed to his family were extended to his veteran family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children, Joshua of Lincoln, Neb., Robert Edward of Lowell and Monica Crozier of Marlborough; four grandchildren; and his brother, Robert of Westfield.

Visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole, and Gleason Funeral Home will be held on Friday, Nov. 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. Bill’s memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. in St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven, and interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs with military honors provided by the veterans of Martha’s Vineyard along with a Masonic funeral service by the Oriental-Martha’s Vineyard Masonic Lodge.

Donations in his memory may be made to Veteran’s Services at MV Community Services, 111 Edgartown Rd., Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.