William Connell

William Lawrence Connell, 87, of Monterey, died Friday, August 24, 2007 at his home.

He was born June 10, 1920 in Calais, ME a son of the late William L. and Leona (Linton) Connell.  On March 8, 1942, he married Hallie Juanita Gilmore, who preceded him in death on July 6, 1994.

Mr. Connell served in the CCC.  He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII.  He taught electronics in Groton, CT and retired from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.  He had also worked at the VEPCO project in Bath County.  He was a member of the Marine Masonic Lodge in Falmouth, MA and the Highland Masonic Lodge #110.  He was an active amateur radio Operator (W1LYV) from 1939 to the present. He was a lifetime student and teacher.  He lived in Cape Cod, MA from 1946 to 1977 and in the Back Creek section of Highland County for 30 years.

He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Berna L. and Garland Carpenter of Bolar, Betty H. and Clinton Gurney of Fountain Hills, AZ and Mary Ellen Robitaille of Virginia Beach; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas R. and Penny Connell of Merritt Island, FL and John F.W.L. and Jane Connell of Pennsylvania; twenty grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis Nevins of Livingston, NJ and a brother, Bernard Connell of Bedford, TX.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Monday, August 27, 2007 at Monterey Cemetery with Masonic Rites.  The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Highlands, P.O. Drawer Z, Hot Springs, VA 24445.