William Nelson McConnell,

William Nelson McConnell, Jr. (Bill), 90, of Essex, died, Saturday, February 7, 2015, after a brief illness. Mr. McConnell was born in Brookline, Mass., the oldest son of William N. McConnell, Sr. and Edith Phillips McConnell. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Barbara-Ann (Hough) McConnell and brother, Robert J. McConnell. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps 29th Bomb Squadron during World War II. He attended Drake University and the University of Connecticut College of Law and Insurance. He received his Charter Property Casualty Underwriters designation in 1958. Over a 44 year career he held senior executive positions with Appleton & Cox, Johnson & Higgins and Alexander & Alexander, predominately in the ocean cargo and inland marine departments. He concluded his career with Travelers, and General Star (General Reinsurance) in Hartford. He and his wife began their married life in Wethersfield. They loved living close to the water's edge in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., Old Greenwich, Essex, and at the family cottage in Clinton. His competitive nature found an outlet in golf, tennis and sailing as a former member of Innis Arden Golf Club, Duck Island Yacht Club, and Old Lyme Country Club. He was a member of Asylum Hill Congregational Church. He is survived by his brother Richard P. McConnell and wife Maura McConnell of Sun City, Ariz., daughter Susan Peterson and husband Bruce Peterson of Essex, son John McConnell of Sugar Land, Texas, daughter Janet Philips of Falls Church, Va. and four grandchildren, James Peterson, Sarah McConnell, Sam McConnell and Will Philips. A private burial service will take place at the Hough family gravesite in Hillside Cemetery, Terryville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave. Hartford, 06105. The James T. Pratt Funeral Service, Wethersfield is entrusted with the arrangements.