William Libby

1939 - 2017

William Libby, 77, of Manchester, husband of Judith C. (Brace) Libby, passed away suddenly Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford.

Bill was born in Hartford on Sept. 16, 1939, son of Fred W. and Henriette (Gaucher) Libby, and was a lifelong resident of Manchester. Bill was a member of the first graduating class of the "new" Manchester High School in 1957. He was a proud member of the United States Coast Guard during the 1960s, when his ship was called to Cuba during the missile crisis. Bill often tells of receiving hazardous duty pay of $15 a month for his underwater welding work. He received an outstanding education in electronic and telephone communications at Avery Point in Groton with course work at the Coast Guard Academy. Bill's electrical and communications career began at Southern New England Telephone Company that later became AT&T. He retired from AT&T with almost 30 years of service.

After retiring, Bill began a small antiques business that employed his skills in restoring old houses, furniture, and cars. He and his wife, Judy, traveled extensively, and Bill was always on the lookout for special finds that could be brought home and refurbished or repurposed. He developed large collections, especially of telephone memorabilia. Bill especially enjoyed snowmobiling, cutting wood, and other outdoor activities in Vermont, where he had a circle of tremendous friends.

Bill is survived by his wife, Judy, whom he met in high school when he was 16. Bill's family includes son Jeffrey Libby, his wife, Kristina, and their children Shane, Maxwell, and Isla, of Manchester; son Christopher Libby, his children, Michael and Emma, the children's mother and Chris' best friend, MaryAnn, of Ellington; daughter Leslie Furlong, of Manchester, and James Furlong, of Glastonbury, beloved father of their children: James Furlong, of Coventry, and Elizabeth Zerio and husband, Anthony, and their children, Jonathan and Emily, of Holliston, Massachusetts. Bill also leaves his brother, Richard Libby and wife, Marie, of Manassas, Virginia; and several nieces, nephews, and their families. Bill has had wonderful friendships in his life for whom we will always be thankful.

Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. at Watkins Funeral Home, 142 East Center St., Manchester. Burial with military honors will be in East Cemetery.

Friends and family may call Sunday, Feb. 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-417005, or to the organization that brings birthday parties to homeless children, Birthday Wishes, P.O. Box 590645, Newton Centre, MA 02459, or to a charity of one's choice.

To leave a message for his family please visit

www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com