William Surette

William Federhen Surette, "Bill", age 97, passed away peacefully at home in Vero Beach, Florida, on April 6, 2025. He shared a long and joyful retirement in Vero Beach with his beloved wife of 74 years, Margaret "Peggy" Stegmaier Surette.

Born in Boston on January 19, 1928, Bill grew up in the city and showed early signs of industriousness and independence. As a boy, he joined the Y.M.C.A. and spent weekends at Scoutland, where he and a friend built a cabin to use during the winters. While attending high school, he worked nights as a machinist for the New Haven Railroad, earning 78 cents an hour servicing steam locomotives. He also joined the Massachusetts State Guard during this time.

At 16, Bill met the love of his life, Peggy. After graduating from high school in 1945 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served with the III Amphibious Corps, Twelfth Service Battalion, eventually deploying to China. Following his military service, he attended Boston University on the G.I. Bill and graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in Business Administration. Just three days after graduation, he married Peggy, and two weeks later began his career with General Electric. At GE, Bill participated in the Business Training Course and held various positions with the General Electric Realty Corporation, serving as a Construction Auditor in Schenectady, NY, Lynn, MA, and Louisville KY. In 1960, he was appointed Audit Administrator, and the following year became Manager of Finance for GE's antitrust settlement and litigation operation in New York City. In 1965, he took on the role of Manager of Finance for the Distribution Transformer Department in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and in 1968 was appointed General Manager of the Medium Voltage Switchgear Department in Philadelphia.

In 1973, Bill joined the Union Pacific Corporation in New York City as Chief Financial Officer. During his tenure, he oversaw financial operations spanning coal, uranium, oil refining, and other sectors, which included Union Pacific Railroad, Champlin Petroleum and Rocky Mountain Energy. He served as a director of multiple Union Pacific Corporation subsidiaries, Vice President of Finance of the Union Pacific Foundation, and was a member of the East Side Advisory Board of Chemical Bank. He also sat on the Conference Board's Council of Financial Executives Institute until his retirement in 1988.

From 1986 to 1993, he served as a trustee and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Boston University, a reflection of his deep respect for education and belief in its transformative power.

Bill was a man of conviction and compassion, known for his sharp wit, sense of humor, and unwavering generosity. He loved his family, his country, and his dogs. A lifelong lover of the water, he enjoyed boating in Boston, Lake George, Long Island Sound, and later in Vero Beach. He was a devoted fan of Frank Sinatra and Broadway and an avid traveler. As a member of the Wee Burn Country Club, Camp Fire Club, Johns Island Club, and Quail Valley Club, he embraced golf, water sports, shooting sports, and spirited social gatherings. Bill believed that achieving success and happiness was a matter of choice and effort, and he embodied that belief in every chapter of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret (Peggy) Surette, and their four children: William P. Surette (Patsy); Jeannine Surette Honstein (Robert); Sharon F. Surette; and Jonathan R. Surette (Nancy). He was the proud grandfather of: Natasha Surette (Imanuel Lerman), John Wheaton Surette (Danielle), Addie Surette Halstead (Spencer), Robert Surette Honstein (Laura Grey), Emily Honstein Stanton (Geoff), and Heather Honstein. He also leaves behind twelve great-grandchildren.

Bill is predeceased by his parents, Frances and Philip Surette, and his Aunty, Mabel Federhen.

Bill will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation MCSF.org