William E. Arnold

West Hartford - William E. Arnold, 75, of West Hartford, son of the late Edward W. Arnold and Elizabeth P. (Lannon) Arnold, entered into eternal peace on June 22, 2012.

He was predeceased by his "Forever Missed, Forever Loved" son, Jeffrey H. Arnold.

He leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend, Ann K. Arnold, and his children and grandchildren, Allison Arnold-Tirado and Duwayne Tirado and their son, Joseph; Joyce Arnold and her sons, Ryan Jeffrey and Aidan Edward; and Marybeth and Thor Crone, and their children, Margrét Ann and Kyle Francis. He was in his glory when he was in the company of his wife, children, and grandchildren. He leaves his siblings, who were always there for him: his sister, Marguerite "Peg" Macchi and her husband, Fran; his brothers, Richard L. Arnold and his wife, Diane, Edward F. Arnold and his wife, Anne; and his sister-in-law, Carmela Arnold. He leaves many nieces and nephews and their families. He also leaves many friends and the "The Band of Brothers", who were also there for him and his family during his illness.

He was predeceased by his brother, James M. Arnold, and sisters, Carol Ann Merrick and Jean Turning.

Upon graduation from Hartford Public High School, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his enlistment he rose to the rank of sergeant while serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). He was assigned to the headquarters section of the Marine detachment. Bill's tour of duty took him to the Mediterranean Sea where the "TI" operated with the Sixth Fleet. After returning to the United States, the "proud ship" rounded Cape Horn on the way to San Francisco Bay and a Far Eastern deployment to the Orient. After his return from the Orient, he received his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps. He was proud to serve his country in the armed forces. The Marine Corps Hymn and "Semper Fidelis" were always close to his heart.

Bill attended the University of Connecticut, where he received his bachelor of science degree in the School of Business Administration. He went on to receive his master's degree from Central Connecticut State University and taught marketing education at George J. Penney/East Hartford High School until his retirement in 1998. Bill was the school's Marketing/DECA Club Advisor for many years. He and his students were very much involved in the community and the Governor's Youth Action Program. They received recognition and numerous awards from the state of Connecticut, town of East Hartford, and the East Hartford Board of Education for their continuous civic commitments. His students' marketing knowledge and leadership skills at the Annual State and National Career Development Conference were admired and respected. During his career, he received the Connecticut Marketing Education Teacher/Coordinator of the Year Award and served as president of the Connecticut Marketing Education Association. He was a retired life member of the Connecticut Education Association and the National Education Association.

Through the years, Bill was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and the UConn football and basketball teams, and passed his passion on to his children and grandchildren. "Billy" had a wonderful sense of humor and Irish wit. He had a teasing personality, which was always accompanied by a twinkle in his blue eyes. "Poppy" always tried to light up his grandchildren with laughter. He was the "Lighthouse".

Relatives and friends are invited to gather between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2012, at Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main St., West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 29, 2012, at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church St., Hartford. Everyone is encouraged to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Glastonbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445-7226, Attn: Contribution Services.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff at the Multispecialty Care Center at Smilow Cancer Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital, and the staff at UConn Health Center for their wonderful care during Bill's illness. Special and heartfelt thanks go to the dedicated team of caregivers at the Hebrew Health Center who filled Bill's final days with dignity and compassion.

For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com