William H. Walling, 73, a long time resident of Madison, died peacefully on Dec. 24 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford, after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Vera Pisacane. William was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, the third of four children born to the late William T. and Mabel (Edwards) Walling. William graduated from Technical High School in 1956 and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences from Springfield College in 1961. He also earned a master’s degree in biological sciences from Southern Connecticut State College in 1972 and a master’s in arts and liberal studies from Wesleyan University in 1986.

William served in the U.S. Navy, working at the Naval Hospital in Chelsea, Massachusetts, as well as the Southern Europe NATO Command U.S. Naval Station Hospital in Naples, Italy, aboard the USS Plymouth Rock LSD-29, and with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in Springfield, Massachusetts, until 1965. He had also worked as a science teacher for 29 years at Guilford High School before his retirement in 1994, teaching general science, biology, anatomy and physiology, botany, and Introduction to physics and chemistry.

William was a member of the VFW Ambulance Association, working as a volunteer EMT from 1977 through 1979. In addition, he volunteered with social activities and religious education at St. Margaret Church in Madison, was a frequent donor to the American Red Cross Blood Donor Program, and worked with the committee to save Griswold Airport as a public park.

William is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Mario and Satomi of Poughkeepsie, New York, and Gary and Cindy of Boston, Massachusetts; two brothers, Thomas of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and Roger of Chicopee, Massachusetts; his sister Gladys of Vestal, New York, and three grandchildren, Christina of Glen Burnie, Maryland, and Addison and Ethan of Boston, Massachusetts.

His wake will be held on Thursday, Dec. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m., at St. Margaret Roman Catholic Church, 39 Academy St., Madison, followed by burial in West Cemetery, Madison. Memorial contributions may be made to The Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405.