William Cutter

Date of Birth

Nov 13,1930

Date of Death

Sep 19,2018

William “Bill” Cutter, Lt.Col. (U.S. Army, Ret.) , age 87, of Naperville, formerly of Oswego, passed away quietly after a long illness on September 19, 2018.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Cutter; two daughters: Elizabeth (Gary) Bannon and Jane (David) Nickels; three grandchildren: Jonathan (Stefania Perticaroli) Nickels, Andrew (Devon) Nickels and Daniel (fiancée Lisa Heyda) Nickels; one great-grandson, William Nickels; and one great-granddaughter who will be born any day now, three siblings: Robert (Cathy) Cutter, Patricia Reynolds and Meredith Murphy; many cousins, nieces, nephews and a family of friends.

Bill grew up in Oswego (the town he would call home throughout his career), graduated from East Aurora High School, and went on to graduate from Norwich University with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Upon graduation from Norwich, Bill was commissioned into the U. S. Army as a Second Lieutenant. As a member of the Corps of Engineers and a Ranger, he was stationed to posts in Europe, Asia and the US. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he received the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star (with cluster).

After retiring from the Army, Bill changed professional career paths and he applied his engineering education and experience to the design and construction of offshore drilling rigs in Singapore where he was Vice President of Engineering for Houston-based Marathon LeTourneau. Bill always believed that with the foundation of a solid education he could teach himself the tools to adapt to new opportunities.

Upon returning from Singapore, Bill and Mary moved to Naperville where he resided until his passing.

Bill and Mary were faithful members of Catholic Churches the world over. Bill was also very active in the Norwich University Alumni Association, and received the Norwich University Board of Fellows Medallion Award in 2006.

Bill was an avid athlete his entire life. He played football at East Aurora High School and went on to play for Norwich for 4 years. He was also no stranger to the hockey rinks, ski slopes, and tennis and handball courts, and he loved to run. Until his final illness took hold, he exercised daily.

Bill was a kind and generous man. He was quick with a smile and freely gave of his friendship. Of all his accomplishments and the years of service in his life, Bill was most proud of his family. He was a devoted husband, and a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He always held strongly to the belief that nothing in his life was more valuable to him than his family and the relationships he shared with his loved ones over the years. We will all miss him dearly and will cherish our many memories with him always. We are comforted by knowing that the kindness and love he provided us over his lifetime will now be carried forward through generations of his family to come.

Services to honor Bill’s life and his dedication to his country and family will be held at Norwich University in Northfield, VT.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Norwich University c/o Development (Civil Engineering Scholarships), Northfield, VT 05663. Tributes may be forwarded to the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com

Services to honor Bill’s life and his dedication to his country and family will be held at Norwich University in Northfield, VT.

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