Obituary
William Daniels

William T. Daniels, age 86, passed away at home in Morrisville, NC, on December 19, 2023. William (Bill) was born in Buffalo, NY on November 7, 1937. He was the oldest son of Woodbury and Gladys Daniels and grew up in Amherst, NY. Bill graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1960, where he was active in the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and was editor of the yearbook. It was there where he met Doreen Gross. Bill and Doreen wed on August 27, 1960, and had three children: Michael, Jeffrey, and Amy. Bill was a member of the Army National Guard and was mobilized and stationed at Ft. Dix in 1961 in response to the Berlin Wall crisis. After completing two years of service, Bill worked at Travelers Insurance, eventually becoming a Chartered Life Underwriter. His work moved him and his family from Buffalo, NY, to Newington, CT, Clifton Park, NY, then back to Newington, CT, where he remained until retirement. In all the places he lived, Bill was active in the community, volunteering with civic clubs such as Lion’s Club and Rotary Club, participating in local politics, and being an active church member. He spent his free time playing bridge and gardening and loved to go sailing. Bill would spend vacation time with his wife and children visiting friends and family in Buffalo, NY, Ontario, Canada, and on the coast of Connecticut (Westbrook). In 1989, Bill retired from Travelers Insurance and opened a real estate office with Doreen. Once he retired from that, in 2002, Bill and Doreen moved to Littleton, Colorado, to be near their three children. During retirement, Bill spent time with his children and grandchildren, became a Master Gardener, volunteered with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and was active in a local retired men’s group. In 2012, Bill and Doreen moved to Holly Springs, North Carolina, where their daughter had just moved. Bill continued volunteering for the theater and became a Master Gardner in North Carolina. He started a Retired Men’s Group in Holly Springs and was a member of the Board of Adjustments for the town. Bill had an incredible zest for life, was loved by all, and could always be counted on for a laugh, joke, or pun. William is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doreen Daniels; their three children, Micheal (Kim) Daniels, Jeffrey Daniels, Amy (David) Dethlefsen; grandchildren Katherine (Conor) Maas, Christopher Daniels, Ryan Dethlefsen; and great-grandchild, Brooks Maas. He is also survived by his brother, Frank (Charlene) Daniels, and cousins Mary Ellen (Michael) McCormick and Grace (Mark) Murphy. He was preceded in death by his grandchild, Emily Dethlefsen.