William Emmet Connolly

Lt. Col. (Ret.) William Emmet Connolly passed away on June 30, 2026, in North Canton, Ohio, following a long illness. Born on October 5, 1948, at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio, Bill grew up in North Canton and attended Central Catholic High School. He studied at the University of Akron and graduated from Kent State University in 1976 while working nights at the Firestone Tire Company.

Bill served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1976 to 1981, with assignments at Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado; and Fort Bliss, Texas. He continued his military career in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after twenty-eight years of dedicated service. He was mobilized from the reserves during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm with the 410th Evacuation Hospital out of Topeka, Kansas. Deployed near the Iraqi border, the 410th treated thousands of coalition soldiers, enemy prisoners of war, and displaced civilians.

After leaving active duty, Bill worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for twenty-seven years, starting as a nurse and eventually becoming a nurse practitioner. His career took him to VA facilities in Brecksville, Ohio; Topeka, Kansas; Canton, Ohio; and Baltimore, Maryland. While he spent most of his life in northeast Ohio, he also lived in Lawrence, Kansas, New Market, Maryland, and New Albany, Ohio, before recently returning to North Canton.

Bill always enjoyed the challenge of a home improvement project. He constantly had one underway, though rarely at his own house. His self-taught skills in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work helped countless people, and he would not take no for an answer. While his completion timelines varied, his price was always competitive: free. Many of his projects will stand for years as a testament to this passion. He also reveled in bridge, table tennis, and golf, playing each with great enthusiasm and a competitive spirit. He loved sharing a good meal, whether grilling his own masterfully prepared steaks or dining out at a favorite restaurant, where he was always the first to grab the check. Above all, Bill was happiest when he was helping others, especially his family and friends.

He leaves behind his son, Cmdr. Bartholomew (Christella) Connolly, and their child, Vivienne; stepson, Tech. Sgt. (Ret.) Robert (Anna) McWhorter, Jr., and their children, Devon, Katelynn, Aiden, and Andy; stepson, Matthew McWhorter; and stepson, Daniel (Nichole) McWhorter, and their children, Elizabeth and Evan; and siblings, Barbara (the late James) Shondel, Mary (the late Michael) Noetzel, Debra (Gary) Kolp, Peggy (Thomas) Wartko, Cheryl (Bobbi Spitler) Connolly, Thomas (Jean) Connolly, and Brian (Laura) Connolly, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, T.J. and Helen Connolly.

Bill deeply appreciated the constant visits from friends and family, which kept his North Canton home filled with warmth and lively activity. He and his family are profoundly grateful to his team of caregivers and hospice providers for their devoted care, patience, and friendship during his final weeks.

Visitation will be held on July 24, 2026, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Karlo-Libby Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 25, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, where he was a dedicated parishioner. Bill will be interred with honors on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio at habitateco.org . Please note "In Memory of Bill Connolly" with your gift.