It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William Wallace Wakefield, age 91, on March 22, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. William was born on June 11, 1931, in Boston, MA, son of the late Oswald Stanley Wakefield and Alice (Czajkowski) Wakefield. He is predeceased by his older brother, Jack Wakefield. Before college William served in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant. William attended the University of Connecticut, graduating with a degree in engineering and enjoying a long career with the United Illuminating Company.  William met his wife Sylvia at her sweet sixteen party, and they were married in 1953. He retired at age 62 and split his time between his homes in North Haven, CT, and North Port, FL, and his lakefront cottage in Holland, MA. He enjoyed tennis, watching UConn basketball and spending time with his family. He was known as an avid tennis player who won most matches, even into his 80s, outwitting his competition. William is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Sylvia (Kohn) Wakefield; his children, Lynn (Wakefield) Testa, David Wakefield and wife Ann, and Marty Wakefield; his grandchildren, Mark Lehane and wife Jennifer, Christopher Wakefield and wife Emily, Kimberly (Wakefield) Woolf and husband Josh, Laura Lehane, and Jonathan Lehane; his great-grandchildren, Declan, Spencer, Lucas, Mary, Stella, Lily, Mila, Genesis, and EJ. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service for William will be held on Saturday afternoon, April 1st at 1:00 in Christ the Good Shepard Lutherian Church, 600 Shepard Avenue, Hamden. Interment will follow North Haven Center Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the UConn Foundation’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball funds (https://www.foundation.uconn.edu/give-now/athletics/) in William’s memory.