Jan. 22, 2020: William C. Petty III, 79, died on January 13, 2020, of complications from pneumonia at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, VT.

Bill was born in Port Chester, NY, on November 24, 1940. He was the son of Helen (Lathrop) and William C. Petty Jr. Bill graduated from Kent School in 1959 with honors and from Yale University in 1963 with a B.A. in History. While at Yale, he was Captain of the Men’s Crew and was a member of Scroll and Key Society.

After Yale, Bill went to OCS in Newport, RI. He was commissioned on November 22, 1963, and served for three years in the Navy as LTJG on the USS Tanner and USS Shasta. After the Navy, he joined the Wall Street investment firm Dominick and Dominick. He then worked at Estabrook Capital Management, followed by Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company for 12 years, then returned as a Director to Estabrook in 1985. He retired in 2018.

As the eldest of six growing up in Stonington, CT, Bill took great pride in his family and was a loyal and caring friend to many. Bill was a Trustee of Kent School, always a loyal supporter of his alma maters, a member of the Yale Club of New York, and the Lawrence Beach Club. Bill had a sharp intellect and a keen sense of humor and was a devotee of his many interests, including rowing, music, reading, and any time spent on the water.

Bill was a longtime resident of Bronxville, NY, and Charlotte, VT. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy (Dowling) Petty, his two sons Jonathan C. Petty (Catherine) and Timothy D. Petty (Kate), grandchildren, Elizabeth, William, Ellie, and Caroline. He is also survived by his sisters Barbara P. Heuer, Deborah P. Dalton (James), Cornelia P. Young (James), and his brother Michael S. Petty (Valerie), and seven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Henry L. Petty (Lois).

There will be a wake on January 26 from 2-5 pm at McGrath’s Funeral Home, 20 Cedar Street, Bronxville, NY. A memorial service will be held on February 1 at 11 am at Kent School, St. Joseph’s Episcopal Chapel, 1 Macedonia Road, Kent, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following:

Yale Crew Association
P.O. Box 208216
New Haven, CT 06520-8216

Kent School Boat Club
P.O. Box 2006
Kent, CT 06757