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William D. Everett, Jr.

William D. “Bill” Everett Jr., dedicated husband, father, grandfather, family man, and friend passed away peacefully at his home in Chester, on \ Dec. 12. Bill fought a courageous battle against dementia while being cared for throughout by his loving wife and son. Bill was born to William and Pauline Everett in Wichita Falls, Texas, on June 29, 1953.

He moved a few months later and spent the rest of his life as a resident of Chester. In 1974, Bill joined Pratt & Whitney as an intern and graduated soon after in 1976, with his bachelor’s in electrical engineering from the University of Hartford. From there, he went on to earn his master’s in electrical engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1980. He had a successful and fulfilling career of 37 years before retiring in 2011, as facilities manager.

On June 15, 1973, Bill met the love of his life, Dana, whom he affectionately called “Doll.” They were married on Feb. 15, 1974, and enjoyed 49 years of love, laughter, and happiness. Together, Bill and Dana were passionately devoted to each other, their friends, and their family. Throughout the years, Bill enjoyed backpacking and camping alongside his family and friends, as well as woodworking and winemaking. He organized many backpacking trips over the years and introduced over 80 people, many of whom became lifelong friends, to his love of backpacking. He managed more than 100 backpacking trips over the course of his lifetime and particularly enjoyed taking trips to the White Mountains and the Adirondacks.

Bill also had a love of traveling and went on many trips with his family to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The earliest trips were with his two granddaughters who knew him as “Popa,” but later these trips grew over the next 12 years to include the rest of his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his wife Dana; their son William (Tanya); two grandchildren, Lacey (Tori) and Kyra; four siblings: Steve (Marilynn), Lorrie (Rick), Rory (Mary) and Mitchell (Chris); and many nieces and nephews to whom he was known lovingly by “Uncle Bill.”

Visitation will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Robinson Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook, on Monday, Dec. 19, followed by a memorial service in the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to an animal rescue or shelter of your own choosing. His family wishes to extend a special thanks to the dedicated staff of the Middlesex Health Hospice Program. To share a memory of Bill or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com.