Obituary for John W Small
Ret. Col. John William “Bill” Small passed away peacefully at home in Rocky Hill, CT on November 27, just a few weeks shy of his 90th birthday. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Bess G. Small, and his sister Patricia Small. He is survived by his daughter, Janet Fox (Daniel Fox); his two granddaughters, Kate Fox (Chris Maccia) and Anna Fox Reilly (Sean Reilly); two great-grandchildren, Elsie and Henry Reilly; siblings, Ann Lander, Kenneth Small (Michael Principi), Karyl Lynch (David Cormier), and Wendy Wannop (John Wannop); and many (great-) nieces and nephews.
Bill was born December 20, 1933 in Northampton, MA to his parents John and Anna (King) Small. He prided himself on being the eldest of six children and cared deeply for his siblings throughout his life. His family lived in many towns throughout the Northeast during his childhood, including Albany, NY where he attended The Albany Academy for Boys, and Babylon, NY where he graduated from Babylon High School in 1951.
In 1955, Bill graduated from Harvard University with a second lieutenant commission in the United States Air Force. Then, he attended flight school in Texas where he met his wife Bess. Not long after their daughter Janet was born, his first assignment brought the family to Bangor, ME, where Bess learned she was a “Yankee at heart,” just like Bill. They made homes together wherever his career sent them: Newfoundland, New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, and Missouri. As an Air Force pilot, Bill traveled the world, including his 1969 tour in Vietnam, and even earned his Master's in Management Supervision from Central Michigan University in 1975 along the way.
Upon Bill's retirement from the Air Force in 1983, he and Bess settled in Old Lyme, CT for 25 years before moving to a retirement community in Rocky Hill. Always active, Bill worked as a real estate appraiser and volunteered with the Old Lyme Cemetery Association, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. Fond memories with loved ones include painting houses with his father; summering at Mousam Lake; driving his powder blue Mustang; riding and caring for horses; cross-country skiing at the A-frame in Marlboro, VT; splashing around the backyard pool; playing golf and tennis (until he was nearly 88); hiking throughout New England; traveling around the United States, especially Road Scholar programs; and cheering for Harvard football as season ticket holders, no matter the weather.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Daquan Bethea and Heaven’s Hands for providing care and compassion during Bill’s final days. They are also grateful for the community Bill and Bess both found among their neighbors in Webster Hills, particularly since Bess’ passing.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday December 5 at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home in Wethersfield, CT followed by a 1:00 p.m. burial service at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding of Old Lyme, CT or Operation Homefront of San Antonio, TX in Bill’s memory.
Bill was born December 20, 1933 in Northampton, MA to his parents John and Anna (King) Small. He prided himself on being the eldest of six children and cared deeply for his siblings throughout his life. His family lived in many towns throughout the Northeast during his childhood, including Albany, NY where he attended The Albany Academy for Boys, and Babylon, NY where he graduated from Babylon High School in 1951.
In 1955, Bill graduated from Harvard University with a second lieutenant commission in the United States Air Force. Then, he attended flight school in Texas where he met his wife Bess. Not long after their daughter Janet was born, his first assignment brought the family to Bangor, ME, where Bess learned she was a “Yankee at heart,” just like Bill. They made homes together wherever his career sent them: Newfoundland, New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, and Missouri. As an Air Force pilot, Bill traveled the world, including his 1969 tour in Vietnam, and even earned his Master's in Management Supervision from Central Michigan University in 1975 along the way.
Upon Bill's retirement from the Air Force in 1983, he and Bess settled in Old Lyme, CT for 25 years before moving to a retirement community in Rocky Hill. Always active, Bill worked as a real estate appraiser and volunteered with the Old Lyme Cemetery Association, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. Fond memories with loved ones include painting houses with his father; summering at Mousam Lake; driving his powder blue Mustang; riding and caring for horses; cross-country skiing at the A-frame in Marlboro, VT; splashing around the backyard pool; playing golf and tennis (until he was nearly 88); hiking throughout New England; traveling around the United States, especially Road Scholar programs; and cheering for Harvard football as season ticket holders, no matter the weather.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Daquan Bethea and Heaven’s Hands for providing care and compassion during Bill’s final days. They are also grateful for the community Bill and Bess both found among their neighbors in Webster Hills, particularly since Bess’ passing.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday December 5 at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home in Wethersfield, CT followed by a 1:00 p.m. burial service at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding of Old Lyme, CT or Operation Homefront of San Antonio, TX in Bill’s memory.