William Francis "Bill" Somers

William Francis “Bill” Somers, a longtime resident of Ridgefield, CT and more recently of Calabash, NC, passed away in the comfort of his home on Thursday, March 26. He was the devoted husband of 62 years to Laurain (Tuttle) Somers.

Bill was born on December 30, 1941, in Norwalk, CT, to John and Edna (Coombs) Somers. He was raised in Norwalk and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1959. Shortly after, he proudly served in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in France and developed an early interest in computer programming using key-punch technology.

Following his military service, Bill settled in Ridgefield, CT, where in 1963 he married the love of his life, Laurain. Together, they built their family home on Blue Ridge Road, next door to Laurain’s parents, and raised their four daughters. They remained there until retirement, when they relocated to Calabash, NC, to enjoy a warmer climate.

Bill’s professional career spanned decades in the evolving field of information technology. He began working for Emery Worldwide in 1968 as a key punch operator and rose to become Director of Information Services by 1983. During his time there, he also enjoyed playing on the company’s men’s softball team. He later founded his own computer consulting business, managing large-scale IBM systems for a variety of clients. He concluded his career with Avon Products before retiring in 2014.

An avid lifelong fisherman, Bill had a deep love for the Long Island Sound. He was the proud captain of his charter fishing boat, Somertime, docked at Captain’s Cove in Black Rock, where he delighted in taking family and friends out on the water. One of his greatest joys was teaching each of his grandchildren how to fish.

Bill was an active member of St. Stephen’s Church in Ridgefield, where he regularly served as an usher at early morning services and volunteered at the annual Nutmeg Festival.

In addition to his beloved wife, Laurain, Bill is survived by his four daughters: Laurain Small and her husband David of Dallas, GA; Pamela Milkowski of Sebring, FL; Brenda Somers Jewell and her husband Robert of Ridgefield, CT; and Victoria Hughes and her husband Christopher of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. He was the proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense joy.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Nancy Vetare and her husband Richard “Dick” Vetare; and his brother, Jack Somers, all of Norwalk.

Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew him.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral service will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church; 353 Main Street, Ridgefield. Interment with US Air Force funeral honors will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill's memory may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice - 1414 Physicians Drive; Wilmington, NC 28401, https://lifecare.org/donate/ or the Alzheimer's Association - 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17; Chicago, IL 60601, https://www.alz.org/.