William Daniel Siddons Jr.

William Daniel "Bill" Siddons, Jr., age 81, of Manchester, CT, passed away peacefully at home after a prolonged illness on Monday, August 18, 2025. Family was always Bill's top priority. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Kathleen Pryor Siddons; his children, Amy Siddons Karr (Scott) of Charlottesville, VA, and Andrew William Siddons of Arlington, VA; his sister, Barbara Joan Harris of Wilmington, DE; his nephew, Brady William Harris (Rebecca); grandnephews Michael James and McKinley Daniel Harris; and step-granddaughter Eleanor Karr. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Irene Brady Siddons and William Daniel Siddons, Sr., and his nephew, Brett Jon Harris. Bill was born in Wilmington, DE, in 1943, graduating from the Salesianum School in 1961. He spent his summers as a youth counselor at Camp Mattahoon, operated by what is now the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware. He continued his education at the University of Notre Dame, participating in Army ROTC and becoming a member of Tau Beta Pi. There he received two degrees in Aerospace Engineering: a B.S. in 1965 and an M.S. in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army through the rank of First Lieutenant, stationed at Fort Meade, MD. Bill had a 40-year professional career as an aerospace engineer at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in the Scientific Analysis group, retiring in 2008. He also was a member of AIAA, with several publications to his credit. Bill had a passion for theater all his life, and performed in a variety of productions with the Calverton Players in MD, the Gilbert & Sullivan Workshop in Manchester, and ultimately the Little Theatre of Manchester, where he was featured in Funny Girl, Rashomon, Cabaret, Company, and A Man for All Seasons. He also enjoyed playing golf in the Pratt & Whitney and Senior Center leagues, reading voraciously about history and current events, watching Notre Dame football and basketball, belonging to the Notre Dame Club of Greater Hartford, coaching a Manchester Youth Soccer League team, and singing in the Folk Group at St. Bridget and St. James Churches in Manchester and finally in the Bass Clef Choir at St. Patrick - St. Anthony Church in Hartford, CT. Bill and Kathy volunteered together for more than 10 years at the House of Bread Soup Kitchen. The family is grateful to Dr. Richard Orris, Dr. Sun Wan, and their staff for the care they provided to Bill over many years; to Kathleen and Diana from Always Best Care for their dedicated daily long-term care of Bill; and to the entire Hospice staff from Visiting Nurses & Health Services of CT. Visitation will be private. Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, in South Windsor, are in care of his arrangements. In memory of Bill, we suggest donations to the following in lieu of flowers: Manchester Area Conference of Churches (https://macc-ct.org/donate-now), House of Bread (https://secure.qgiv.com/for/houseofbread), or the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware (https://www.classy.org/give/519824/#!/donation/checkout). To leave an online message of condolence for his family, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.