William (Bill) A. Williams of West Hartford, beloved husband of Suzanne Maryeski, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday August 24, 2022, at the age of 81 years.

Born in Holyoke, MA, Bill graduated from Villanova University in 1963. He spent most of his career in journalism, working for Broadcasting magazine, United Press International, The Hartford Times, The [Danbury] News-Times, and The Hartford Courant, where he worked for 24 years in various positions including copy editor, op-ed editor, assistant to the publisher, letters editor, and editorial writer, retiring in 2005.

In retirement, Bill, a member of the National Book Critics Circle, pursued his passion as a book reviewer, writing on a freelance basis for various magazines and newspapers. He also enjoyed volunteering. For many years he taught creative writing and meditation in multiple Connecticut prisons and hosted a writing group for The Sun magazine. In 1999, he co-founded and hosted the Greater Hartford Sangha, a meditation group that continues to meet. He also taught meditation in the Integrative Medicine program at St. Francis Hospital. A long-time member of St. Helena’s Catholic Church in West Hartford, Bill also served meals at the Church Street Eats soup kitchen in Hartford. For many years Bill was an avid runner, participating in more than 180 races including the NYC and Boston marathons and the Mt. Washington Road Race. He inspired his son Jonathan to run and went to all his races. Bill loved reading, walking in the woods and traveling with Suzanne. He also enjoyed visiting daughter Mary in Pennsylvania and reading books and playing board games with his grandchildren.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, William and Alice, his first wife Patricia, and his brother Hamilton. He leaves his wife Suzanne; daughter Mary and her husband Michael; son Jonathan and his wife Sarah; grandchildren William, Natalie, and Kathleen; siblings David and wife Pamela, and Judy and husband Victor; and other devoted relatives and friends.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday September 1, 2022 from 4–7 pm at Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave, West Hartford, CT. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bill may be sent to Hands on Hartford, the Hartford Catholic Worker, ImmaCare Inc. in Hartford, or the Open Hearth shelter in Hartford. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com