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William Barlow Whiteman

With loved ones at his side, William Barlow Whiteman, 72, passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2022, at Smilow Cancer Hospital, New Haven. Bill, a lifelong resident of Guilford, was born in 1950 to his parents, the late Maude H. Whiteman and Ronald C. Whiteman, Sr. Generous in “spirit and kindness,” Bill was a “light and a blessing” in selflessly providing countless services to those less fortunate. Naturally cheerful, sociable, and quick to help everyone, Bill’s personality aided his volunteer work to have a profound effect on the many recipients with whom he came in contact. Having an abundance of wonderful friendships over his lifetime, Bill recently enjoyed special visits with several friends who traveled near and far to share quality time together. Destinations often included Sheppard’s Tavern, a happy and highly popular meeting place. Sometimes, a gathering location was Bill’s home, where all present relaxed and reminisced, laughed and loved.

Family and friends are grateful Bill chose to give his “artistry” to the world in sharing: his computer talent and teaching, sense of teamwork and community, valued friendships, love of play and hobbies, his treasured travel, creation of personally meaningful music and lyrics, commitment to the needy, appreciation for lightness and laughter; reverence regarding a life of patience, courage, fortitude, perseverance, love, and trust. While professional basketball, baseball, football, and his own association with golf tournaments were among Bill’s favorites, he also managed to develop a quiet patience for fishing. A noteworthy annual activity that captured and retained Bill’s passion and participation was the New Haven Knights of St. Patrick Harvest Program. Through this event, Bill pledged his involvement in creating and delivering Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

After graduating from Guilford High School (1968) and enjoying some extensive European travel, Bill pursued various job opportunities. Places of employment included Telco-Jarvis Corp (field representative, poultry division), Eric G. Anderson Land Surveying (assistant surveyor), Lupone Department Store (retail sales), Wilson Ford Dealership (automotive sales), and Kenyon Marine — Division of Outdoor Sports Inc. (hardware assembler and later, supervisor of the hardware division).

As the 1960s came to a close, Bill followed his interest in computer technology and enrolled in a myriad of courses, programs, and workshops, even while continuing his beneficial employment. It was at this time Bill studied hundreds of hours in order to earn two diplomas in Advanced Computer Programming from the Hartford Computer Processing Institute (1969, 1977). Attending the University of New Haven, Bill acquired recognition and certification in Fundamentals and Principles of Supervision. Enrolling at the Greater New Haven State Technical College, Bill applied and was accepted to study data processing and business applications. A workshop in HACMP installation and amplementation (IBM High Availability Cluster Multiprocessing) gave Bill yet another important certification for a fast-growing collection of career credits. Finally finding his way to SNET (Southern New England Telephone) and entering the company as a computer operations clerk, Bill soon received a well-deserved and prestigious promotion into management—assistant supervisor of computer systems and, notably, pperator and diagnostic maintenance supervisor of mainframe computers in SNET’s data center. Retiring after decades of service with SNET, Bill revisited his love of travel, especially to Floriday—of course, finding fun, friends, and the fairway.

Uncle Bill, we find favor in your camaraderie—sometimes expressed from a distance, sometimes unspoken, but always positive and true. You are still a “light and a blessing,” generous in “spirit and kindness,” “quiet and comforting” to all of us who survive you. We are sister Sally J. Whiteman; brother Ronald C. Whiteman, Jr. and wife Carol; nephew Noel W. Comment, Jr. and wife Kate, sons Jacob, Fletcher, and Nathan; niece Michele Baron and husband Mark, sons Alexander, Zachary; daughter Annaliese; nephew Timothy H. Nugent and wife Amy, sons Joshua, Nicholas, daughters Ruth, Clara, Dorothy; niece and Goddaughter Polly J. Nugent and partner Salvatore R. Chieffo; niece Kimberly W. Shakelton and husband Fred, daughters Summer, Sydney; nephew Ronald C. Whiteman, III and wife Yuliya; niece Kasha E. Benton, husband Manish Mehta, son Zeb.

Bill was predeceased by parents, Maude H. and Ronald C. Whiteman, Sr.; sister Cynthia W. Comment; brothers-in-law, Noel W. Comment, Sr., Donald H. Nugent, Jr.

Bill, in gratitude, we thank God for you, love and miss you; we know we will see you again. Amen

Courage doesn’t always roar; sometimes, courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, “I will try again tomorrow.” — (Mary Anne Radmacher)

Friends are invited to calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11, with a brief Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Burial services are being planned for the near future at Alder Brook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38150; https://www.stjude.org/ To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.