Bill passed away gently in his sleep April 26, 2024 at the age of 85. Born December 22, 1938 to parents Cecil Odell Anderson Horne and Marion C. Horne, both of Ettrick, Virginia, he was born under the name Clifford E. Horne. In 1945, when Marion returned from his service in the war, Clifford’s parents divorced and he and his mother both relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. In 1948, his mother remarried Gunnery Sergeant Harold B. Pollock, USMC, of Morgantown, West Virginia, who formally adopted him in 1950 and was then renamed William E. Pollock.
His new family was mostly on the road from then, in support of his adopted father’s Marine Corps stationing assignments. The end of his teenage years saw him graduate from Beaufort High School, in South Carolina. Shortly thereafter, he entered college at the University of South Carolina in Columbia for a time before deciding to join the Army near the conclusion of the Korean War. During his service, he was stationed in Connecticut where he eventually met his wife Joan (nee) Merancy, of Ansonia, Connecticut.
William and Joan were married January 28, 1961 in Ansonia, Connecticut and settled in Old Saybrook with their new son William Jr. followed soon by Gregory, and Andrew. Work eventually brought the family to Baltimore, Maryland where William Sr. worked for Retail Credit Company as a regional salesman. Work eventually brought the family back to Connecticut where they settled in Newington in late 1968.
Bill embraced the local Newington culture to include a stint with the Hole-In-The-Wall Theater Company in New Britain and Newington Theater Company. He was also active with the local Jaycees service organization, a part time bus driver for the Newington school system, football coach, little league umpire, and a host of other civic duties. A consummate tinkerer, Bill was a lifelong car enthusiast and proud Austin Healey owner. He was also a private pilot and enjoyed traveling around the globe with friends and family.
Not long after moving back to Newington, William struck out on his own to start his own business, Pollock and Company, a motor vehicle driver history services company. His idea struck a chord and it eventually grew to encompass most of New England in its service territory. He embraced the technology wave of the early 1980’s when his son Greg joined the firm and helped to automate the services and expand the business.
Bill and Joan finally retired to Old Saybrook, where their story began, in the early 2000’s. Not comfortable with retirement he volunteered with the local Wetlands Commission and began to settle into shoreline life enjoying time exploring the byways of Connecticut. By then the extended family had grown to seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Joan; his sons William Jr. and wife Fran of Newington, Connecticut, Gregory and wife Brenda of Stoddard, New Hampshire, and Andrew and wife Starr of Canton, Georgia; his grandchildren Leigh, William III, Brian, Sean, Abigail, Charles, and several loving great grandchildren; he was predeceased by his parents and grandson Gary. He leaves a legacy of leadership, friendship, and generosity and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Calling hours for William will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475. A mass of christian burial will occur Friday, May 3, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St John Church, 161 Main St, Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475. A burial will occur Friday, May 3, 2024 at 12:15 PM at Riverside Cemetery, 59 Sheffield St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475.
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