William Thomas Irwin Jr.

He was born on June 22, 1949 in Alpena, MI to Catherine and William Irwin Sr. He enjoyed a rural upbringing on the banks of Lake Winyah with his parents and 2 sisters, Gay and Sue. He spent a lot of time hunting, fishing, ice skating, water skiing, playing tennis and snow skiing. After graduating from Alpena High School in 1967, he joined the army and served for almost 2 years at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He got out early to attend College at the University of Texas at Arlington. There he met Cheri Stearns, and they married in January of 1975. He graduated with a degree in Philosophy, but having the gift of gab, he pursued a career in sales. He worked for Deknatel, selling sutures for 3 years, then worked for Miles Laboratories, selling medical equipment for 7 years. He moved on to Citation Computer Systems, selling computer systems for hospitals for 2 years, and ended his career as a Regional Sales Manager for Sakura Finetek, where he worked for 23 years. At Sakura he was responsible for recruiting, training and managing sales professionals in the southern half of the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cheri and Bill resided in various parts of the mid-cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, but their longest residence was in Colleyville, where they raised their daughter, Courtney. After living there for 28 years, they moved to Hurst, TX to be closer to Cheri’s parents and then to Trumbull, CT to be near Courtney and her family in 2020.

At UTA Bill was President of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and voted Mr School Spirit. He was also a member of Rotary Club in Colleyville. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who always enthusiastically showed up for activities, games, concerts and events. He enjoyed cooking, reading, spending time with friends and family and sharing a cold beverage. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, constantly learning and searching. He was an avid traveler, having travelled much of the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Japan and Europe for pleasure and for work.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cheri Irwin, daughter Courtney Winegar, son-in-law Reed Winegar, grandson Dylan, granddaughter Phoebe, sisters Gay Lynn Fry and Sue Oliver, and niece Minga Oliver. He was predeceased by his parents, Catherine and William Irwin Sr.

Bill will be remembered for his sense of humor as well as for his charismatic way of talking to anyone and making them feel welcome and important.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bill’s name to either The Monroe Congregational Church, 34 Church Street, Monroe, CT 06468, St. Paul Methodist United Church, 852 W Bedford Euless Rd, Hurst, TX 76053, The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, or your favorite charity.