ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — William “Bill” Conner, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully at his daughter Amy’s home Sept. 15, 2026, at the age of 83. Bill was born Dec. 22, 1942, in Westbrook, Maine.
Bill was known for his devotion to his family and his gentle, kind spirit. He was a man of great integrity who touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He graduated from Westbrook High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Susan (Knight), in York Beach, Maine, in 1963. Bill and Susan were born two days apart in the same hospital in Westbrook, Maine, so Bill’s family likes to say they have known each other since birth.
Bill graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts and took his first teaching position at Vergennes Union High School in Vergennes, Vt. He dedicated more than 30 years to the school as a teacher, coach, mentor and athletic director before retiring from teaching in 1997. Bill raised his family in a quaint farmhouse in Vergennes and, after retiring, moved with his wife to Englewood, Fla.
Bill enjoyed taking his family on many memorable trips during their childhoods, including summer vacations spent with family in Maine. An avid reader, he could often be found with a book, reading late into the night. He also loved swimming and teaching his children to swim.
Bill’s true passion in life was golf. In retirement, he worked at several golf courses near his home in Englewood. Bill’s legendary “Golf Camp” is held annually the first week of March. Family and friends across the country descend on Englewood with their best golf game for a week of tournaments, laughs, good times and good food. This cherished tradition will continue in Bill’s honor.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Susan; his sons, Mark (Christy) Conner of Victor, Idaho, and Michael (Meredith) Conner of Driggs, Idaho; his daughter, Amy (David) Richardson of Rotonda West, Fla.; his grandchildren, Abigail and Kaitlyn Conner and Lily Richardson; and his brothers, Daniel (Susan) Conner of Westbrook, Maine, and Jim (Haemin) Conner of Nikiski, Alaska.
Celebrations of life will be held Sunday, May 30, 2027, at the American Legion Post 62 in Westbrook, Maine, and Saturday, June 5, 2027, at the Red Mill in Vergennes, Vt. Cremation services were provided by Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home of Port Charlotte, Fla. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Fellowship Church of Englewood, Fla., are suggested in Bill’s memory. ◊
