William T. McSpedon II

William T. McSpedon II, 81, of Ridgefield, entered into Eternal Rest on Thursday, March 28, 2024. 

“Wild Bill”, a moniker he was affectionately known by, came into the world as the third child of William and Claire McSpedon on August 2, 1942, in Yonkers, New York. He was the only son of seven siblings and, as such, was the “apple of his mother’s and sisters’ eyes” - a position he relished and carried as his birthright. 

He and his wife, Diane K. Dagnall, were high school sweethearts. They bonded over a love of music, bowling and chess. They were married on October 17, 1964, and went on to have 7 children.        

A longtime resident of Pound Ridge, New York and Ridgefield, Connecticut, Wild Bill was a loyal member of Local 3 Electrical Union for over 60 years. He was the Founder and President of Phoenix Electrical Contracting Corp., a company of which he was immensely proud, which had the honored distinction of installing the first ever EZ Pass toll system in New York.   

Wild Bill had many passions. He was the past president of the New York Athletic Club Chess Team, self-taught and having honed his game playing all walks of life during pick-up games in Union Square Park. Mr. McSpedon also enjoyed golf, reading History, and the New York Yankees, a passion he shared with his entire family since his father worked the NYY scoreboard for over 50 years. And then there was his gardening skills! He crafted spaces of beauty with Koi ponds, small waterfalls and manicured gardens, for he truly believed that to walk in nature was to walk with God. Seemingly oxymoronic to his name, Wild Bill was a devout Catholic his whole life, and was an active and cherished member of Christ The King Church. It is only fitting that he passed during Passion Week.

Will Bill made so many friends throughout his life! From the pick-up street games with his crew in Yonkers, to friends he made in the apprenticeship, to business associates who became cherished family members, to befriending clerks in grocery stores, banks, bakeries (he loved is sweets!), and of course, the local plant nurseries, he continued to make friends. He approached life with a big smile and an open ear, and carried the people in his sphere as treasures in his pocket. 

Bill was extraordinarily proud of his family, and would often keep strangers talking for many minutes regaling them with stories of their lives and exploits, whether it was career achievements, graduations, academic pursuits, sports successes, or other events. He was equally cherished by them and leaves a hole in their broken hearts.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Diane and their children: Dane McSpedon and his wife, Geraldine; Jennifer Foley and her husband, Daniel; Laura Scanlon and her husband, Michael, and Mary Cordtz and her husband, Jared. Mr. McSpedon is also survived by 14 grandchildren, whom he affectionately called his “little dudes”: Kayla, Sinead, Liam, Nora, Madelynn, Charlotte, Abigail, Teague, Ethan, Christian, Dermot, Noelle, Finn and Joshua; as well as two sisters, Mame Corio and her husband, Greg, and Kathy Ferrari. Uncle Bill also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and in-laws, Mr. McSpedon was predeceased by his beloved children: sons, Bill and John McSpedon, and his daughter, Kimberley McSpedon, as well as four sisters.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, April 1, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. The recitation of the rosary will take place at 7:30 PM. Eulogies and tributes will be offered at the conclusion of the visitation.

A Requiem Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Christ The King Church; 209 Tackora Trail, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery; Hawthorne, NY. 

For information on the dress code requirements at Christ The King Church, please visit the church website, http://www.sspxridgefield.com

Contributions in Mr. McSpedon’s memory may be made to Christ The King Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William T. McSpedon II, please visit our floral store.