William M. Holliday

William M. Holliday died at his home in Evergreen Woods, North Branford, CT, on Sunday, September 2, 2012. He had celebrated his 88th birthday two days earlier, an evening of happy festivity.

Bill was a proud Yale man, starting with his undergraduate studies as a young Kansan on a full scholarship. Graduating in the wartime class of 1945W, he pursued his graduate studies at Yale after his early release from the Navy, achieving his Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1950.

As a chemist, his professional career began in the research laboratory of Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, OH. Upon accepting the position of Director of Research at Chesebrough-Pond’s, Bill and family moved to Clinton CT in 1959. His last position in the US, the Director of Research and Development at Lever Brothers Co., was followed by nine years in London serving Unilever until 1981 as a Research and Development Executive, administering the R & D programs in sixteen European laboratories.

Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty N. Holliday, his brother John (Nell), his daughter Claire (Jim), his son Bruce (Rena), and Bruce’s two children, Christopher and Kerry Taylor. Bill and Betty’s son Robert predeceased them in 1971. Barbara and Peter Gulick and their sons Jesse and Travis are members of the extended Holliday family. Bill’s dedicated aide, Pat Lomotey, called him “Dad” for the last year of his life.

Bill enjoyed his Tanqueray martinis, a good party, the company of family and friends, and offering advice to any teenager in earshot. Other pleasures were travel, tennis, and being an active Yale alumnus. Bill was also proud to have served as a founding member of his church, St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Madison, CT, fifty years ago.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday September 8th at 1pm at St. Andrew’s Church, Rt. 79 in Madison, with a reception to follow at the Church The Swan Funeral Home, Madison are in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com for condolences and tributes.