William Charles Renfro

William Charles Renfro, 81, of Wethersfield, devoting and loving husband of Patricia (Wagner) Renfro died Saturday (October 8, 2011). He was born January 16, 1930 in Hillsboro, TX to the late Joseph Terry and Lala Pauline Renfro. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters and their families, Lisa Renfro and Jeremy Snow and their children Chloe, William and Andrew; Leslie Renfro and Alex Pihut, and their children Terry and Katia; Terran Titus and her daughter Sarah; Laura Renfro and Dennis Lazor, and their daughters Kelsey and Tess; and Bill's brother Robert and sister in law Kathie Renfro. Bill earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and attended officer's training at Chennault Air Field. He then served in Germany as a navigator in the Air Force with the 30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron during the Korean Conflict. Bill met his wife of 56 years while serving in Germany and they married in Wiesbaden, Germany. Bill and Patricia returned to TX where he earned his Masters Degree in Marine Biology. He then worked in Galveston, TX as a Marine Biologist for the Texas Fish and Game Commission before taking a position with the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife. In 1964, the family moved to Corvallis, OR, where Bill earned his PhD in Oceanography. Bill continued working as a professor at Oregon State University until 1972 when the family moved to Monaco, France where Bill, as a Scientific Diplomat to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency continued his ground breaking research on the effects of radioactivity on oceans and ocean species. Bill was the Director of Environmental Affairs at Northeast Utilities for over 20 years before retiring in 1994. As a highly recognized scientist, Bills was held in the highest esteem by his students and colleagues in the scientific community. After his retirement, Bill was actively involved in helping others, serving for many years as a ""Saint"" for Hartford's Habitat for Humanity. He was an avid fisherman and loved spending as much time as possible at Dream Lodge on Shadow Lake in Concord, Vermont. The family extends their utmost gratitude to the caring, devoted and loving staff at The Atrium in Rocky Hill, CT where Bill resided for several months.

The Memorial Service and Celebration of Bill's life will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Center Church, 60 Gold Street, Hartford, CT. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to The Alzheimer's Association , Hartford Habitat for Humanity or Center Church's Angel Fund. Funeral arrangements by the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.