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2026 Flag Day Parade Grand Marshal - William “Bill” Parrelli
Dedham honors Mr. Parelli, a veteran, innovator, community leader, and lifelong public servant
Post Date:05/29/2026 8:30 am
The Dedham Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Flag Day Parade Committee, is proud to announce William “Bill” Parrelli as the Grand Marshal of the 59th Annual Flag Day Parade.
Born in 1928 in Charlestown, Bill Parrelli was one of six children raised in Roslindale alongside his three brothers and two sisters. From a young age, Bill displayed a passion for boating and service that would shape the course of his remarkable life.
At just 13 years old, Bill joined the Sea Scouts, where his troop operated a motorboat in the Charles River Basin and Boston Harbor. During the summers, he worked aboard a small passenger ship traveling between Boston and Provincetown. By age 15, eager to serve his country and pursue life at sea, Bill enlisted in the Merchant Marine after lying about his age.
After completing junior high school, Bill secured a position with the Army Transport Services, transporting prisoners of war from Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor where they were held to work at the Boston Army. At 15, he began sailing aboard the S.S. Suffolk. While home on leave, tragedy struck when the ship and its entire crew were lost during a storm off the coast of New York.
In 1945, at only 17 years old, Bill joined the S.S. David G. Farragut and contributed to the World War II effort. Upon the ships return to American they came upon a sever hurricane at sea causing the ship propellers to come out of the water forcing the engines to be turned off and recking havoc on ship, losing multiple life boats and life rafts, as well as causing everyone on board to become seasick. Yet again Bill had felt he cheated death. That same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to infantry training. Recognized for his advanced knowledge of electronics, Bill was transferred to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he became part of the First Guided Missile Battalion and received specialized training in guided missile systems.
After completing his training, Bill and his team were stationed at the White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico, where they helped establish a missile training complex. During his time there, Bill had the extraordinary opportunity to work testing the VII rocket engines that was developed by the renowned German rocket scientist Wernher Von Braun, one of the leading rocket developers.
Bill was later transferred to California with two fellow team members holding Top Secret clearance to assist the U.S. Navy in missile research and testing programs. He completed his military career there before receiving an honorable discharge in November 1946.
Returning home, Bill completed his high school diploma before attending the Massachusetts Electronic and Communications Technical School, where he earned a technical diploma and obtained a Federal Communications License. He became the Chief Engineer operator at WERS-FM Boston. He later joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory, contributing to classified military projects during a pivotal era in communications technology.
Among his many accomplishments, Bill worked on Project ASTRA, the Automatic Substitution Transmitter Receiver Alarm system, designed to maintain communications through multiple frequencies in the event of lost voice transmission. Initially developed for military use, the technology later became a standard operating system in modern air traffic control communications. After 14 years with M.I.T., Bill moved on to pursue multiple career opportunities at Honeywell and Analog Devices in the electronic departments, obtaining his Real Estate Brokers License and becoming a Radio Shack store owner. Eventually landing with the MBTA where he spent 18 years before he retired.
Throughout his decades in Dedham, Bill has remained deeply committed to veterans and the community. He helped build the memorial wall at American Legion Post 18 and has served the organization in numerous leadership roles, including Finance Officer, House & Grounds Chairman, and Commander. Today, many still recognize Bill from his evenings singing karaoke at the Legion.
Bill also proudly organized Dedham’s Senior Picnic and continues to stay active within the community. An enthusiastic bowler and golfer, he is a familiar face at the Dedham Council on Aging, regularly participating in card games, bingo, and community events. He has also been a dedicated member of the Dedham Veterans Office “Military Mondays” program since its founding.
When asked about being named the 2026 Grand Marshal, Bill said he was “shocked and honored to be included in this great parade.”
Dedham is equally honored to celebrate Bill Parrelli, a veteran, innovator, community leader, and lifelong public servant whose dedication has touched generations.
Residents are encouraged to congratulate Bill when they see him around town and to join the community on Sunday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m. for the 59th Annual Flag Day Parade, where Dedham will proudly celebrate one of its most distinguished citizens.