William Nickerson Deer

NIANTIC, CT and CHATHAM, MA – William Nickerson Deer, 76, passed away in New London, CT on December 13, 2021 after battling lung cancer. Bill was born on November 27, 1945 at Cape Cod Hospital to parents Wendell and Harriett (Nickerson) Deer. Through his mother’s Nickerson lineage, Bill was a 12th generation descendant of William & Anne (Busby) Nickerson, Chatham’s founding family.

Bill grew up in Chatham living by the ocean and partaking of what it had to offer. The majority of his jobs were water related: First as a crew member on a party fishing boat; working for a cultured clam operation; and as a career Navy veteran. Bill enlisted in the Navy soon after graduating from Chatham High School, and after discharge tried the civilian life for a while, but then re-enlisted in the Navy, and retired as a Navy Submarine Veteran. In his retirement, Bill was an active member of the Groton Submarine Veterans Club. During his lifetime, Bill spent many leisure hours shell or fin fishing, and sailing or motoring in boats that he bought and brought back to life.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, and older brother, Robert. He is survived by a niece and nephew, and several cousins.

A service will be held in the spring at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA, with the date to be announced later.

Donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Nickerson Family Association, P.O. Box 296, North Chatham, MA 02650.