Wallace Howard Heaton, 78, a retired communications systems programmer, died Friday January 7, 2022 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis.

He was the husband of Mary Theresa “Terri” Kennedy for 31 years.

Born in Philadelphia, PA Howard was the son of the late Wallace D. Heaton, Jr. and Grace (Bolger) Heaton. He graduated from Penncrest High School in Media, PA and attended Furman University in South Carolina and Belknap College in New Hampshire before settling in Massachusetts.

While living in Mansfield in the 1970s, Howard was an active member of the Jaycees and taught CPR classes. He remained a member of the Mansfield United Methodist Church after his move to Norton in the 1980s where he participated in the choir and the Amen Gospel Singers and he also became a Lay Leader. Howard served a term on the Norton Water and Sewer Commission.

Howard began his career in the early days of the computer industry as a technician for Univac. He went on to work for Hasbro, Cullinet, Northrop, Rockland Trust, and finally retired from Citizens Bank in 2008.

Upon his retirement, Howard moved to South Yarmouth and joined the South Yarmouth United Methodist Church (SYUMC) where he served as lay-leader, audio-video specialist, and choir member. He also served on many leadership committees, locally and nationally, within the Church. He remained committed to his volunteer work with the SYUMC until the end of his life. Howard was a man of unwavering faith. His passing was peaceful as he went to join the Father.

Howard loved many things in his life, including music, the Patriots, “puttering,” and a good deal. But most of all, he loved his family, and of course, his dog, Pepper. Howard and Pepper could often be found at the Yarmouth Dog Park making friends, both human and canine.

In addition to his wife, Howard is survived by his children, Grace Kennedy and her husband, Ryan, Lisa Heaton Samiljan and her husband, Jeff, and John Heaton and his wife, Mary.

Howard will be honored with visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday January 13 in the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday January 14 in the South Yarmouth United Methodist Church, 322 Old Main St., South Yarmouth.

Interment will be held in Oaklands Cemetery, West Chester, PA at a later date.

As an expression of sympathy, Howard requested that memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601.

Terri, I'm sure you take comfort in knowing he had a life well-lived and a peaceful passing. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Jeanine Spikes

We will always remember Howard as a good neighbor that we could rely on to take care of our Jeep and watch our home when we went away. Whether learning to make lemoncello or sitting around the firepit, please know he is in our thoughts.

I understand how difficult it is to lose a love one. You had 31 lovely years. Breath relax and reflect On the wonderful times you had together. Amen.