William G. Lewis

William G. Lewis, of Cromwell, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 18. His family and friends grieve this profound loss while taking comfort in cherished memories of their time with Bill and the support of loved ones. Born in the Bronx and raised in New Canaan, Connecticut, Bill attended Ithaca College and the University of Connecticut, where he met his future wife, Jennifer (Kerrigan) Lewis. They married in 1996 and made their home first in Hartford, and later in Cromwell. After graduating from UConn Law School in 1998, Bill spent most of his professional career as a real estate attorney, working at a variety of firms. Bill's greatest pride and joy were his two daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, who have grown into strong and compassionate young women. Though he never considered himself much of a dancer, Bill practiced diligently at home for father-daughter dances-always striving to make those moments joyful and memorable for his girls. Bill found joy in life's simple pleasures, especially those shared with family. He loved attending dance recitals and cheer competitions, watching birds from the front porch, cooking steaks on the grill, and walking in the woods. He also enjoyed kayaking, tackling home improvement projects, and listening to classic rock. A devoted sports fan, he cheered for the UConn Women's Basketball team, watched NASCAR and the Tour de France, and had a lifelong love of football. A Kansas City Chiefs fan for thirty years, he celebrated their Super Bowl LIV victory with pride. After a memorable trip to Detroit with his dad last year, he also became an enthusiastic supporter of the Lions. Above all, Bill had a deep desire to serve others. Whether solving a problem or quietly stepping in to meet a need, he gave his time and energy freely-with heart, humility, and determination. In addition to his wife, Jenn, Bill is survived by his loving parents, Jerry and Carole Lewis of Killington, Vermont; his mother-in-law, Betty Ann Kerrigan of Cromwell, Connecticut; his brother-in-law, Evans Kerrigan (Joan) of Marlton, New Jersey; his sister-in-law, Lynne Given of Memphis, Tennessee; his beloved nieces, Samantha Kerrigan (Raj Shankar, Voorhees, NJ) and Stephanie Kerrigan (Chris Cahill, Hamden, CT); his nephews, Christopher Given (Amherst, MA), Matt Given (Shreveport, LA), and Nicholas Given (Baton Rouge, LA); and his great-niece and great-nephew. He will also be missed by his devoted dog, Neo, and his three cherished cats: Trinity, Tabitha, and Tinkerbell. Throughout their lives together, Bill and Jennifer were committed to reducing the stigma around mental illness and encouraging open, compassionate conversations about mental health. After a long and courageous struggle with mental illness, Bill died by suicide. There will be no formal service at this time, and the family kindly requests no flowers. Instead, they ask that you honor Bill's memory by reaching out to someone you've lost touch with, visiting someone who may be lonely, or offering a helping hand to someone in need. A simple act of kindness may mean more than you know. If you would like to make a donation in Bill's memory, please consider supporting the Connecticut Humane Society - https://cthumane.org/?form=chswebassets, where he volunteered for many years, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) https://www.NAMI.org/get-involved/memorial-and-honorary-giving/ – both causes close to his heart.