JUDSON, Wilbur T., Jr. Wilbur T. "Bill" Judson Jr., 79, of Glastonbury and Dunedin, FL, passed away Tuesday (March 2, 2010). Bill was born June 27, 1930, in Hartford to Wilbur T. Judson and Irma Markert. Bill attended East Hartford High School upon graduation he joined the Air National Guard. He worked as a ground crewman on P-47 Fighters and would later complete lessons and earn his private pilot license. Working with his hands had always been Bills passion and he got a position as a sheet metal apprentice, producing many of the beautiful copper roofs that still adorn our Connecticut skyline. Later he would leave that trade to purchase and run Sparkle Car Wash in Glastonbury. Always creative, Bill was most happy when he was in his workshop tinkering on a new project. Over the years his interests varied, from restoring an old Piper Cub airplane, classic cars and Lionel trains. He loved convertibles and brought many back to their full glory. Mercury Phaetons, Corvairs, Mercedes and a Ford Sportsman rolled into his shop in disrepair and came out in head turning condition. An avid sailor he spent many weekends on Long Island Sound in his Yawl "Windsong". Bill also had a love of music and was a talented piano player and singer. He was the tenor soloist for the Memorial Baptist Church in Hartford and was in the chorus of the Connecticut Opera. He was also for many years a Deacon at the Buckingham Congregational Church and a long time member of the Glastonbury Rotary Club. Always the life of any party Bill loved to sing, play piano, tell jokes and he will be missed by all. He was raised a Master Mason in Daskam Lodge No. 86, A.F. & A.M. in Glastonbury on June 8, 1966. He became a member Columbia Lodge No. 25 when this Lodge and Daskam Lodge merged in 1995. Bill is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Karen of Dunedin, FL. He leaves his beloved children, Susan and Robert Elovich, Christopher N. Judson, Carrie and Jody Kretzmer all of Glastonbury, Kathy and Peter Coumo of Mahopac, NY, and Doug and Diane Yoder of Berlin, CT. Bills leaves his ten adored grandchildren, Peter and Kate Elovich, Julia, Victoria, and Allie Kretzmer, Michael, Amanda and Alison Cuomo and Derek and Dylan Yoder. Bill leaves his brother and sister-in law, Donald and Marianne Judson, and his sister and brother in-law, Diane and Richard Heath; along with his niece, Donna Judson; and nephews Matthew Judson, David and Steven Heath. A Celebration of Bill's Life in Glastonbury will be held at a time to be announced. A memorial service will be held on March 22, 2010, at 11 a.m., at First Christian Church in Dunedin Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations maybe made to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL, 33760. Condolences can be left online at www.glastonburyfuneral.com

Published in Hartford Courant on March 7, 2010