William Debost Downing

Chaired Newtown’s First Board Of Ethics

William Debost Downing, 84, of Heritage Village, Southbury, and previously of Newtown, died November 24 in Danbury Hospital. Mr Downing was the husband of Carolyn (Hawley)Downing.

He was born on Staten Island, N.Y., a son of Paul H. and Clarisse (Debost) Downing.

Mr Downing was educated at the Staten Island Academy, The Kent School, and graduated from Yale University in 1948 (Class of 1945) with a degree in engineering. During World War II he served with the rank of staff sergeant in the 164th Artillery Battalion, 40th Infantry Division on the Hawaiian and Solomon Islands, New Britain Island, the Philippine Islands, and in the Army of Occupation in Korea. He was awarded a Citation of Merit for directing artillery fire on the enemy during battles for the liberation of Luzon, Philippine Islands. After discharge from active service in 1946 he served three years in the Army Reserve.

Mr Downing was manager of engineering at Heli-Coil Corp (now Emhart Technologies, Black and Decker Corp), which he had joined in 1961, until retirement in 1990. He continued serve as a consultant after his retirement. He was a registered professional engineer, a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Mr Downing was a member of the Yale Clubs of New York City and Danbury.

A resident of Newtown from 1964 to 2005, Bill Downing was chairman of the first Board of Ethics, Town of Newtown, under which the town’s Code of Ethics was written. He had been a vice president of the Regional YMCA for Allocations. He had been Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 70 and served on the board of the Cullens Memorial Youth Center and was a member of the Boys Club.

Mr Downing’s other interests were sailing and antique automobiles and he was an active member of the Housatonic Region Antique Automobile Club of America and the Buick Club of America.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, Mr Downing is survived by his daughter, Katherine Downing (Mrs John) Jackman of Ames, Iowa; a son, William Hawley Downing of Reading, Mass.; and a sister, Clarissa Downing (Mrs Bidwell) Moore of McLean, Va. He is also survived by three granddaughters; and four grandsons. Mr Downing was predeceased by a brother, Paul Mayhew Downing.

Funeral services will be held at 11am, Saturday, December 1, in St Paul’s Anglican Church, 174 Whisconier Road, Brookfield, with Rev Andrew Buchanan officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 74 Central Avenue, Waterbury CT 06702.

Arrangements are in care of the Honan Funeral Home, Newtown.

The Newtown Bee      November 30, 2007