William James Sears

William J Sears, 70, formerly of Middletown, passed away, Saturday, April 11, 2026, after a lengthy illness at Zambarano Hospital/Eleanor Slater Unit, Burrillville.

Born March 3, 1956 in Newport, son of the late William F Sears and Virginia DeBairos Sears. He was educated in Middletown schools and was a 1974 graduate of Middletown High School/Middletown. He was employed by Stop & Shop Supermarkets/Middletown, retiring in 2012. He also ran Jo-De-Sea Farm/Middletown, founded by his late maternal grandfather, Jose DeBairos in 1938. He was a member of Alvaro Vieira Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Unit 5390/Portsmouth, and William Shields Jr Sons of American Legion Squadron 43/Warwick.

The family would like to acknowledge Dr Susan Ferranti and the staff at Eleanor Slater for the compassionate care and friendship Billy received.

He is survived by his sister, Sharon Sears O'Brien of Freehold, NJ, his nephew, Chad O'Brien of Chesapeake, VA, his cousins, Robert Corey of Middletown, Donna Milord of Boynton Beach, FL, and Lynn Wilson of Shelton, CT. He was predeceased by his father, William F Sears (2024), his mother, Virginia DeBairos Sears (1997), and his maternal grandparents, Jose DeBairos (1965), Idalina Nunes DeBairos (1985), and his paternal grandparents, John Sears (1966) and Mary Maura Sears (1990).

Funeral will be Thursday, at 8:30 AM, from Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, to a mass of christian burial at 9:30 AM, at Jesus Savior Church. Interment to follow at St Columba Cemetery, Middletown. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, from 4-7PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Billy Sears to be sent to the Potter League/Middletown, RI.