William D. Luth, 70, area musician and entrepreneur

William Donald Luth, a musician in the Boston area for more than 25 years, died last Friday from complications of an acute infection at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Fla. He was 70.

Formerly of Leominster, Mr. Luth was born and raised in Newport, R.I., where he began taking drum lessons at age 5.

He attended Boston University and the Berklee College of Music, where he studied percussion under Alan Dawson.

Mr. Luth played drums in Boston with several small bands from the 1960s through the 80s.

In addition to his work as a musician, Mr. Luth was employed from 1960 to 1978 at several area car dealerships: Belmont Ford in Belmont, Blue Hill Lincoln Mercury in Canton, and the former Fitchburg Ford in Fitchburg. He worked primarily as a parts and service coord- inator.

In 1978, he founded J&J Trading Truck Equipment, now Advanced Truck Accessories, and owned and operated it along with Luther's Dawg Pound, a hot-dog stand, which he started in 1992. He ran the companies in Fitchburg until he retired in 2000.

Mr. Luth's first marriage ended in divorce. He married Leslie (Jollymore) in 1987.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Luth leaves five sons, William Jr. of Woodstock, Vt., Michael of Lunenburg, Gary Marshall of Plainfield, Conn., Steven Marshall of Phillipston, and David of Clinton; a daughter, Victoria Chartier of Phillipston; and nine grandchildren.

Services have been held.