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William Charles Colrus, 88, died on Aug. 23. Bill was born Oct. 2, 1932, in Southampton, New York.

Bill is survived by his wife, Beverly; daughters Tracy Colrus Stewart (James), Wendy Lewis (Roy), and Laurie Smith (Glenn); son William Colrus (Melissa); stepdaughter Joanne Corvino (Paul); stepson Mark Podgwaite (Lisa); sister Diana Capobianco (Ronald); grandsons Stephan Hartmann (Kristine), Ryan Lewis (Romereliz), and Samuel Colrus; granddaughters Jill Hartmann, Joy Mayweather Sanford (Andrew), Emily Shanahan (Jake), Jordan Jackson (Dominique), and Katherine Colrus; step-grandson Mark Podgwaite, Jr. (Danielle); step-granddaughters Kyla and Olivia Corvino and Desiree Larkin (Travis); seven great-grandsons; six great-granddaughters; five nephews; and two nieces. He was preceded in death by wife, Constance Regan; sister Elizabeth Higgins and her husband Henry; sister Bernice Novicki and her husband Eugene; parents William Altan Colrus and Verna May Hersey; and nephew Dean Capobianco.

Bill grew up in East Haven and attended East Haven public schools. A graduate of the Paier College of Art in Hamden, Bill served on the school’s faculty for several decades while also forging a successful career as an illustrator, graphic designer, painter, and product creator. His work could be seen in hundreds of school classrooms, countless store shelves, and in numerous national publications, as well as on the walls of NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

After they retired, Bill and Beverly owned and operated the Imagine gift and art shop in Guilford. Bill had a keen interest in the role art can play in learning. He taught art classes at Imagine, as well as other local venues, before spending the last few years of his life as an active teacher and exhibitor at the Clinton Art Gallery in Clinton. Bill had a signature laugh. He served as a longtime Little League coach, was an avid reader, and enjoyed a good debate. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his family.

A private service of remembrance will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Clinton Art Gallery in Bill’s name. Swan Funeral Home Madison is handling arrangements.