William E. Connors, Jr.

William, known as Billy and Bill by his family and friends, was born in Fitchburg, MA on November 16, 1938 to the late William and Gertrude (Handlin) Connors. Bill grew up in Fitchburg and graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. After college, he met the love of his life, Roberta L. Fitzmaurice, and the story we’ve been told is that he asked her to marry him after the third date. Bill and Roberta married in June 1964; their marriage of 54 years was “true love.” As so many have said, you could not say Bill without Roberta or vice versa. They truly supported each other through all the hard times and laughed and danced through the good ones.

Bill and Roberta had four children, Mary Sheila, Mary Amanda (diseased), David and Robert. Their childhood memories are filled with many fun vacations, the funny stories their father told them, and they will always remember his sage advice he repeated as they left for school each day, “Don’t forget to ask a good question.”

Early in his career, the opportunity arose for Bill to use his knowledge of medicine to take on the challenge as a sales representative for Abbott Laboratories in the Hospital Product Division. He believed in his product and through a lot of hard work and determination he transitioned from a sales representative to his final position as a Regional Sales Director in the east central part of the country. The nature of his business moved his family to upstate NY, western Massachusetts and finally to the Washington DC area where he made a home in Darnestown, MD. With every move Bill added to his list of those he called “friend.”

After retirement Bill took on the role of Grandpa Bill or Bumpa. He never missed a concert, school play, sporting event, or graduation celebration. He was the best cheerleader/fan/and playmate to all his six grandchildren. Collin, Keaton, Kendall, William, David and Dennis have many fond memories of Grandpa Bill sharing his love of golf, providing help with homework and walking on the beach at Hilton Head looking for shells.

Bill enjoyed many things in life, but mostly he enjoyed time spent with family. He and Roberta spent much of retirement traveling, playing golf, and taking the family to Hilton Head, where Roberta always coordinated a family picture with matching outfits for everyone from the youngest grandchild to Bill. Bill became a Master Gardener and was the first male president of the Darne Bloomers, Darnestown’s Garden Club and later he supported the weekly plant clinics at Quince Orchard Library.

Bill was a devout catholic and wanted everyone to feel welcomed in the church. He and Roberta taught religious education and hosted a Renew Group at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Darnestown. Bill was a weekly usher at the 9 AM Mass. He shared his faith not only through prayer but also in raising money for the parish and was instrumental in starting the annual Christmas Tree Sales.

Bill is the beloved husband of the late Roberta Lucille (Fitzmaurice). Devoted father of M. Sheila Bouley & her husband Walter, David Fitzmaurice and Robert William & his wife Sherri. Cherished grandfather of Collin, Keaton, William (Bouley), Kendall, David (Bouley) and Dennis (Bouley). Loving brother of Judith Pleasants (diseased), Matthew, Katherine Kotoski. Sheila Burchell, and James. Uncle Billy is also survived by his many nieces and nephews. Plus, many extended friends that he greatly loved.

Due to health concerns during this time, there will be a prayer service at De Vol Funeral Home with limited attendance. The service will be held on Friday at 2:00 PM and all friends and family are invited to join us by Zoom.

Connors Funeral Service via ZOOM:

Meeting ID 882 3588 3990

Passcode 620113

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvdOygpjgjE9Tmyt26xLaB_l3wOXStwhZp

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bill’s memory to The Master Gardeners to support their programming.

Check Made out to: MC-EAC.

Memo: Memory of Bill Connors

Mail to:

Urban Agriculture/Master Gardener Program

University of Maryland Extension Montgomery County Office

c/o Linda Waters

18410 Muncaster Rd.

Derwood, MD 20855