William L. Cotter

1957 - 2018

William L. Cotter
William L. Cotter, age 60, of Naples, FL, formerly of Weston, passed away on August 5th, 2018 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous fight with cancer and is now at home with the Lord Jesus Christ. The lifelong beloved husband of Laura Panicali Cotter (formerly of Trumbull), and their two sons William and Daniel.
The fourth son born to John J Cotter and Mary L. Cotter on November 17, 1957. He graduated from Fairfield Preparatory School in 1976 , Georgetown University in 1980, University of Bridgeport Law School on 1983, when he joined his father, uncles and brothers at the Law Firm of Cotter, Cotter and Sohon. After moving to The South in his latter years, Bill still remained active in the Law Firms of Jones, Childers and Donaldson In Mooresville North Carolina and the Quinn Law Firm in Milford. He was a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers and Bridgeport Bar Associations, who was a highly regarded trial attorney and was best known for seeking justice and for his passionate protection of his client's needs.
Known to his siblings as "Billy," he was the remarkable example of a person who would take on risk without reward. A star athlete at Canterbury School and Fairfield Preparatory School, Billy was always admired by his teammates as a leader and team player.
His most treasured life was with his wife Laura, a fairy tale by all definition since they were 13 years old and raising two accomplished sons, Daniel and William. Christ came later in Billy's life when he and Laura found Reverend Paul Teske who instilled in both of them their love for God and our Lord Savior Jesus Christ.
Beyond that devotion Billy was always and forever a "HOYA" Fan having graduated in 1980 and did radio statistics play by play his senior year at Georgetown University. This loyalty, along with his compassion and love for others will be forever implanted in all that knew him, and therefore we have not lost his soul but strive to achieve his love for life forever. An avid fisherman with many a tall tale, he loved the sea, boating and all water sports. His greatest times were those spent surrounded by his family members and best friends.
Billy is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 34 years Laura A. Cotter and his two loving boys, William Leland Cotter, II and Daniel Galvin Cotter, all now living in Naples.
Billy is predeceased by his loving parents, John J. Cotter and Mary Galvin Cotter and sister Anne Cotter Coles. He is further survived by eight brothers and sisters, Daniel H. Cotter (Pamela) of Trumbull, Sara Cotter of Monroe, John J. Cotter, Jr., (Amy) of Milford, Thomas Galvin Cotter (Megan) of Lordship, Rosemary Cotter Dulaff of Shelton, Gerald Cotter of New Haven, Noreen von Brauchitsch (Erich) of Fairfield, and Jacqueline Sheehan (Thomas) of Duxbury, MA ,brother-in-law Kevin A. Coles of Stratford, and sister-in-law, Janice Thibodeau of Monroe, along with many loving nieces and nephews and their children.
Friends may greet the family at The Lesko Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield, on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 41 Easton Road, Westport, CT 06880 on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. A private burial will immediately follow at St. Michael's Cemetery.
For travel directions or to sign his guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Living Word Family Church for the "Baptism Pool Construction Project" 10910 Immokalee Road, Naples, Florida, 34120.