Marshall Wilde Williams, 91, of Newtown died Sunday February 7, 2016 at Bridgeport Hospital surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a man of integrity, love and relentless optimism. He showed unconditional love, support and leadership to his family, his greatest legacy. Everyone loved him. As a lifelong avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and maintained a beautiful vegetable garden as well as taking down trees, splitting and chopping wood.
He was born in Amityville, NY, October 10, 1924 to Newton Halsted Williams and Mildred (Deings) Williams. Marshall graduated from Shelton High School in 1943 and subsequently enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He completed training as a bomber pilot just as World War II ended and remained in the reserves for a year after the war. He worked for a summer at GE where he met the love of his life, Martie. They have been together for 70 years. He attended Long Island College of Engineering and Bridgeport Engineering Institute and worked as a Tool and Die designer and Manufacturing Engineer for Harvey Hubbell Inc. in Bridgeport for 42 years.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Marshall continued his passion for flight during his retirement by volunteering to help restore a B29 Bomber currently on display at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Lockes, CT. Also on display are models of early pioneering attempts at helicopter flight by his grandfather John Newton Williams. He passed on the family passion for flight to his granddaughter, Brooke, and enjoyed flying with her.
Until recently, Marshall and his wife Martie delivered Meals on Wheels once a month. They bowled once a week up until three weeks ago. Previously, they were active members of the Rocking Roosters Square Dance Club for 28 years.
Marshall is survived by his wife of 67 years, Catherine Martha Noonan Williams; his son, Lawrence Williams and his wife Nancy of Southbury, his daughter Patricia Williams Struski and her husband Benjamin of Southbury, his son Mark Williams of Danbury, his son Daniel Williams and his wife Maureen of Woodbury, his son Roy Williams and his wife Lisa of Middlebury, his brother Newton Williams, his brother Gordon Williams both of Newtown, fifteen grandchildren, Larry Williams Jr, Peter Williams, Lauren Williams Kupis (Dan), Ben Struski Jr, Tania Struski, Janae Struski Rachiele (Mike), Jeremy Struski (Jenn), Darla Struski Marcantonio (Fred), Annaliese Struski, Aaron Williams, Alex Williams, Sam Williams, Taylor Williams Fitzsimmons (Allen), Mitchell Williams, Brooke Williams. There are twelve great grandchildren, Courtney Williams, Dominic, Liam, Kadence, Marshall, Westley and Morghan Napoles; Eli, Oceana and Daisy Rachiele; Jeremy Struski Jr, and newborn Cameron Fitzsimmons as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his baby son Allen.
We thank his doctors and the wonderful nursing staff of Bridgeport Hospital’s Cancer wing. We thank the Hospice staff. Thank you for your passion and dedication.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours Friday Feb. 19th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown. A Military Service will be conducted at 7:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday February 20th at 11:00am in St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown. A Reception will follow at the Southbury VFW on Lakeside Rd, Southbury. To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com