Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
1209 Post Road
Fairfield, Connecticut
William Lane Obituary
William (Bill) K. Lane Jr., age 72, of Easton, beloved husband of Elizabeth Simmons Lane for 32 years, died on Wednesday May 10, 2017. Bill was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 11, 1944 to Virginia Walsh Lane and the late William K. Lane Sr. Bill was a proud combat veteran, having fought in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive as an officer in the Green Berets. He worked at General Electric for over 20 years and served as head of Corporate Communications and as speech writer for CEO Jack Welch. After retirement from GE he authored two books, Jacked Up and Losing It. He was a member of Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield for many years and was a devoted parishioner of Notre Dame Church. He was elected as a constable for the town of Easton.
Bill was a loving husband, father, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his children: William K. Lane III, Regan Lane and her fiancé JD, and Thomas Lane, all of Easton, brothers Richard Lane (Joanne) of Hauppauge, NY and Robert Lane of Hicksville, NY, his mother, Virginia Lane of Happauge, NY, and several nieces and nephews. Bill is predeceased by his sister, Virginia Lane. Friends and family are invited to greet the family on Sunday, May 14th from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in LESKO AND POLKE FUNERAL HOME, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday May 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, 655 Morehouse Road, Easton. Entombment will follow in Saint John's Cemetery in Norwalk, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Thomas Merton Center of Bridgeport, Notre Dame of Easton, or the National Rifle Association. The GREGORY F. DOYLE FUNERAL HOME is in care of arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.gregoryfdoylefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Lane
Ferdinand Munoz
May 6, 2025
Gone but not forgotten.
Ferdinand Munoz
May 6, 2021
I keep him in my prayers.
Ferdinand Mun
May 6, 2020
May he rest in,peace
Phyllis Piano
July 20, 2017
Dear Beth and kids: So, so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I worked with him at Fairfield in the early 90s and knew him from years in the medical business before that. He was generous in helping me, as someone new to corporate, settle in. What a great writer and funny man. He made us all laugh with his wry observations. My husband, Roy, and I enjoyed parties at your house....deepest sympathies to you and the kids. Bill was one of a kind, for sure. Phyllis Piano
Jay Pomeroy
June 26, 2017
To: The Lane Family,
I worked with Bill during the height of the "Jack" years, 1996-2000. I was a rookie at corporate, but he never made me feel as such. Smart, funny, generous, and genuine. One of the best of all time. He gave me one of my most prized possessions from my time at GE---the leather bound book given to just a few people at the time of Jack's retirement. I am so sorry for your loss. May God Bless him and all of you.
Christian Flathman
June 26, 2017
Beth, I just learned of Bill's passing and I wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about this. I had the pleasure of working with Bill at GE in Fairfield and had the pleasure of meeting you at your house and various events several years ago. I want you to know your family is in my prayers and that I have never and will never forget Bill. One of a kind.
Bob Sweeney
May 18, 2017
It was sad to hear about the passing of Bill Lane.
Bill Served his country with honor and courage.
It was my privilege to have served with him at Special Forces Team A-502 in Vietnam 1967-1968.
He will live in all our memories and shared stories for years to come.
Indeed he will be missed.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Bob Sweeney
A-502 Team Member
Al and Gina Barber
May 16, 2017
Beth, I just heard about Bill's death. We at Catholic Charities and the Merton Center certainly cherished our relationship with both of you. You and he entire Lane family are in our prayers.
John Blake
May 16, 2017
Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart." --Washington Irving
Yes Bill, I still have the cup.
My sincere condolences to the Lane family and friends.
John Blake, A-502
May 14, 2017
Beth and Family
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing .I will always remember the kindness he showed me during my trials and also the great times we shared during our golf trips.
The Ochman
Michael Dinnel
May 13, 2017
Old soldiers never die, they just fade away as General Douglas McArthur said. Serving as the S-5 officer with Individuals such as yourself was one of the highlights of my life. We will have our grand reunion when all of us are together in Heaven. Signed Lt Michael Dinnel, A502, US Army.
Jim Jarvies & Ferdinand Munoz
James Jarvies
May 13, 2017
Jim Jarvies scents his condolences thru my email address.
Ferdinand Munoz
May 13, 2017
May you rest in peace
Ferdinand Munoz
James (Jim) Jarvies
Wickliffe Kirby
May 13, 2017
Sir, again you are the advance party. A-502 LT Wick Kirby 1969
Tom Ross
May 13, 2017
Bill and I were teammates at Special Forces Detachment A-502 in the Republic of South Vietnam during the year 1968. I served as the team's Intelligence & Operations Officer and Bill served as Executive Officer.
During the infamous Tet Offensive, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese units established positions just outside a nearby village they had taken over as a basecamp. As Senior American Advisor to his Vietnamese unit, Bill led a counter attach on enemy locations in an attempt to free the village. During the ferocious battle, he and his unit became pinned down in a graveyard for several hours by horrendous gunfire, mortar, and rocket fire. Refusing to let the enemy continue to occupy the village, Bill directed artillery and airstrikes onto enemy positions. When the smoke cleared, Bill and his unit assaulted through and across the graveyard. In the face of his determined and fearless leadership, the enemy suffered heavy losses and retreated in disarray. The village was freed and Bill had lived his Special Forces motto to . . . Free the Oppressed.
The courage and leadership displayed by William K. Lane Jr. on the day described was typical of the man I came to know during the following year. Bill was a remarkable and inspiring man.
We have stayed in touch over the years and recently Bill has been serving as a technical advisor for a Vietnam era feature film on which I have been working. His insights into our experiences in that faraway place have added substance and color to the project. And, at times, have made me laugh . . . Bill had a clever and very quick wit. At other times, our conversations became philosophical as we mused about how fortunate we were to have survived our experiences in Vietnam. In response to learning of Bill's passing, a fellow teammate observed that, We're all three times older than we have any right to be.
Bill became a trusted friend who inspired me and made me extremely proud to be an American . . . I will miss him a great deal. I wish his family my very warmest and most sincere condolences.
Tom
John Key
May 13, 2017
See ya' Later Bill, DOL .
( A-502, 67-69 )
Jean Lavaud
May 13, 2017
Please accept my condolences to the family for your loss. I knew Bill when I was at A-502 in 1968. RIP my brother
shaun darragh
May 12, 2017
Sad news. My deepest condolences to everyone in Bill's family. It was my great honor to have served with Bill in Detachment A-502, Dien Khanh, Vietnam, in 1968. You produced a very fine American.
May 12, 2017
Dear Beth and Family...
Mere words cannot express our sorrow at the loss of your dear Bill. He was a great friend and colleague. We will miss his humor, his intellect, his joie de vivre. We know that you will keep his love in your hearts. Know that you have our deepest condolences.
Davie Dworken Peck
May 12, 2017
Beth and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. Gone but never forgotten. Sending our love to you all.
Davie Dworken Peck and Family
Scott Shilinsky
May 12, 2017
Heartfelt Condolences to Beth, Bill, Reagan and Tommy. He will be missed!
Most sincerely,
Scott, Katie, Sarah, Anna, Scott Junior
Kevin Donohue
May 11, 2017
I roomed with Bill at Niagara in Junior year. We've been in touch off and on over the years and he will always be a great memory of a wonderful guy.
May 11, 2017
So very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Sending our condolences to Beth and family. Donna and Michael Pantano
May 11, 2017
Our sincere condolences to Beth and the family. I grew up across the street from Bill. He was kind, funny, smart as can be, and a man of integrity who adored his family. He will be missed. Andrea and Bob McCoy
The Staff of Lesko-Polke Funeral Home
May 12, 2017
Offering our sympathies at this time.
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
Make a Donation
in William Lane's name
Memorial Events
for William Lane
Funeral services provided by:
Lesko Funeral Home, Preplanning, and Cremation Services - Fairfield1209 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor William Lane's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
