William S. Reiley

View Video Tribute William S. “Bill” Reiley, Jr. of West Chatham, MA and Venice, FL died on January 26, 2012 after a two year battle with cancer under Hospice at home care. He was the son of Elinor W. and William S. Reiley, Sr. Born June 1, 1926 in Laconia, NH, he graduated from Laconia High School in 1944. Just after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the aircraft carrier Boxer in the Pacific on peacekeeping missions. Upon discharge from the Navy, he attended New Hampton School for a year and then Yale University School of Engineering, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Bill worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT as a test engineer until 1954 when he went to work for Hartford Special Machinery Company of Hartford in Simsbury, CT. He rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President and Director of that company. In 1983, he became the owner of Hartford Special Headers Company, retiring in 1993. He was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara S. Reiley and is survived by his wife, Dorinne Lee Mason Reiley of West Chatham, MA and Venice, FL; his daughter Jennifer B. Reiley of North Andover, MA; and stepson Jeffrey A. Mason of Anchorage, AK (Sarah Jane). Survivors also include his grandson, David “Jaime” Reiley; granddaughter, Thalia “Cara” Reiley of North Andover, MA; and step grandson Jazzlee Andrew Mason of Anchorage, AK. Bill was always giving of himself as a member and President of the Farmington Valley Jaycees; member and Chairman of the Simsbury, CT Board of Education; choir member, Building Committee Chairman, and Senior Warden of Christ Church Avon, CT; choir member at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Chatham, MA; at St. James Episcopal Church, Farmington, CT; Men’s Choir member at St. Mark’s Church, Venice, FL and Board Member of the Harding Shores Association (West Chatham, MA). He used his engineering skills to help others fix whatever needed fixing and was always available to assist friends and family.