William F. Connors, age 79, of Canton, formerly of Needham and Sharon passed away unexpectedly May 24th. Born and raised in Arlington, he graduated from Arlington High School. After graduation Bill attended Burdett College for two years before enlisting and serving in the United States Marine Corp. He went on to graduate from Suffolk University in 1965, earned his CPA certificate, and began working for Ernst & Ernst. He spent most of his professional career as the CFO of Computer Devices and later worked for Mass Mutual before he retired.
He was an avid sports fan and loved to tour Major League Baseball Parks throughout the country. He spent many years coaching local youth basketball and softball teams and participating in recreational men’s softball and road races. As a history enthusiast, Bill volunteered as a Boston By Foot tour guide and taught classes on American history. He was also a talented musician and loved playing his guitar for family and friends.
Bill loved to volunteer and regularly brought a therapy cat named Missy to nursing homes to visit patients and residents. He said that his main goal was to put a smile on even the most somber of faces.
The most significant part of Bill’s life was his family. Bill and his wife, Iris, shared an active life both physically and socially. Together, they attended concerts, theater, and festivals on a weekly basis. Bill traveled with Iris regularly. They frequently visited Wisconsin to play with the Midwest grandkids and brought the entire family each summer to Cape Cod for a yearly reunion. Bill regularly visited his grandkids, attended all their sporting and educational events, carpooled to ballet classes, and never missed a family event. Bill lit up every room with his mischievous smile and trove of stories.
Bill will be remembered as a loving parent and grandparent, gentle soul, adopted father to many, ice cream and pizza connoisseur, cat lover, and mischievous adventurer.
Beloved husband of Iris R. Kingsbury. Father of Michelle Davenport and her husband Jay of Sharon, Suzy Briller and her husband Chris of Westwood, Vicki Kingsbury of WI, Heidi Kingsbury of NM and Mitchell Kingsbury of FL. Grandfather of Caitlin and Kendall Davenport, Braden and Reagan Briller and Brianna and Jacob Flanagan. Brother of the late Olive Stearns. Visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home 455 Washington St. Canton Tuesday 4-7 pm. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Sharon Wednesday morning at 11. Burial Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Orchard Cove Philanthropic Endowment Fund, 1 Del Pond Dr., Canton, MA 02021.