Marshall Wilde Williams, 91, of Newtown died February 7 at Bridgeport Hospital, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Amityville, N.Y., October 10, 1924, to Mildred (Deings) Williams and Newton Halsted Williams.www.honanfh.com.

Mr Williams graduated from Shelton High School in 1943 and subsequently enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. He completed training as a bomber pilot just as World War II ended and remained in the reserves for a year after the war. He worked for a summer at GE, where he met the love of his life, Martie. They were together for 70 years. He attended Long Island College of Engineering and Bridgeport Engineering Institute and worked as a tool and die designer and manufacturing engineer for Harvey Hubbell, Inc, in Bridgeport, for 42 years.

A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Mr Williams continued his passion for flight during his retirement by volunteering to help restore a B29 Bomber currently on display at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks. Also on display are models of early pioneering attempts at helicopter flight by his grandfather, John Newton Williams. He passed on the family passion for flight to his granddaughter, Brooke, and enjoyed flying with her.

Until recently, the Williamses delivered Meals On Wheels once a month. They bowled once a week, up until three weeks ago. Previously, they were active members of the Rocking Roosters Square Dance Club for 28 years.

He was a man of integrity, love, and relentless optimism. He showed unconditional love, support, and leadership to his family, his greatest legacy. Everyone loved him. As a lifelong avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, and maintained a beautiful vegetable garden, as well as taking down trees, and splitting and chopping wood.

His wife of 67 years, Catherine Martha Noonan Williams; his children and their spouses, Lawrence and Nancy Williams of Southbury, Patricia Williams Struski and Benjamin Struski of Southbury, Mark Williams of Danbury, Daniel and Maureen Williams of Woodbury, and Roy and Lisa Williams of Middlebury; his brothers Newton and Gordon Williams, both of Newtown; 15 grandchildren, Larry Williams, Jr, Peter Williams, Lauren Williams Kupis (Dan), Ben Struski, Jr, Tania Struski, Janae Struski Rachiele (Mike), Jeremy Struski (Jenn), Darla Struski Marcantonio (Fred), Annaliese Struski, Aaron Williams, Alex Williams, Sam Williams, Taylor Williams Fitzsimmons (Allen), Mitchell Williams, and Brooke Williams; 12 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews survive Mr Williams. His baby son, Allen, predeceased him.

The family thanks his doctors and the wonderful nursing staff of Bridgeport Hospital's cancer wing, as well as the Hospice staff. "Thank you for your passion and dedication."

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours Friday, February 19, from 5 to 8 pm, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A military service will be conducted at 7:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 20, at 11 am, in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown. A reception will follow at the Southbury VFW on Lakeside Road, Southbury.

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