Surrounded by the love of family, Bill passed away peacefully at home on April 30, 2026 at the age of 85, following a four-year health challenge that he faced with the same determination and purpose that defined his life.

Bill was born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the son of the late Mildred P. and Willard C. Yeats. On the shores of Pontoosuc Lake in Pittsfield, Bill met Delores, his loving wife of 65 years, and together they've shared a lifetime of love, adventure and family.

Bill graduated from Pittsfield High School and continued his education with a BA from Brown University (Class of '62), a JD from Dickinson Law School, and an LLM in Taxation from Boston University. Following law school, Bill began his career at Aetna Life & Casualty in Hartford, Connecticut and went on to serve as Vice President of Government Relations in the Law Department. During this time the family settled in Burlington, Connecticut. Bill was guided in life by his strong values, always wanting the best for his family and working hard to provide them with every opportunity.

Upon retirement, Bill and Delores moved to Ludlow, Vermont where they enjoyed boating on the "ALLYSON G", skiing at Okemo Mountain and hosting family and friends. In his free time, Bill was successful in Real Estate, selling fractional-share ownership condominiums at both Killington and Okemo Mountains. After a few too many Vermont mud seasons, Bill and Delores returned to Connecticut, where they have lived for the past 23 years to be near the water and closer to family and friends.

In addition to being an avid skier, sailor, swimmer, and tennis player, Bill enjoyed many family vacations at the beach, on the water, and on the slopes, as well as numerous trips with close friends. Bill's accomplishments were many, yet he will always be remembered for his strong connections to others through every handshake and smile he shared. Bill was an exceptional husband to Delores, father to Kristin and Betsey, and grandfather to his four granddaughters Allyson, Kaitlin, Nina, and Sarah. Bill became affectionately known as "Grampoo" and his granddaughters were his pride and joy. He loved being a part of their lives and attending their sporting events, theater productions and special occasions, which meant the world to both.

Bill is survived by his wife Delores; his daughters and their spouses, Kristin Gillespie (Peter Gillespie) and Betsey Yeats (Russ Campanello); his granddaughters and their spouses, Allyson Gillespie (Kevin Rizzo), Kaitlin Gillespie (Rob Wotczak), Nina Campanello, and Sarah Campanello; and his great-grandson, Bennett. Bill is also survived by his loving sister Nancy Brandt (Karl Brandt); his niece Wendy Benedict (John Benedict) and their children Meghan and Kara; his nephew and godson Derek Brandt (Stephanie Lyons) and their children Charlie and Ryan.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Isaac for the care, guidance, and companionship he has provided over the past four years. We would also like to extend special thanks to Aziz and Susie for their care and to Dr. Troy Frazer for his compassion and support during this difficult time.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life for Bill at 11:00 a.m. on June 20, 2026 at Gather 360, 360 Mago Point Way, Waterford, CT.  A light lunch will follow. Guests are welcome to stop by and spend time with the family anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to a charity of choice, or to Care and Share, 12 Roxbury Road, Niantic, CT 06357, or to Hartford HealthCare at Home Hospice Care, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich, CT 06360.