Howard Lamphere Jr.
Montville — Howard William “Bill” Lamphere Jr., 86, of Uncasville, died peacefully at his home on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, with his family by his side.
He was born on Feb. 20, to Howard and Dorothy (Thorpe) Lamphere in Norwich. He graduated from Uncasville Grammar School in 1944 and Norwich Free Academy in 1948. After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1952 with a degree in physical education, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Dix. He was accepted into Officers Candidate School and received his commission as a second lieutenant serving in Missouri and Japan. After retiring from the Army, he joined the Army reserves. While in the reserves, he was a company commander and enrolled in several courses for officers. He became an instructor in the Army Command and General Staff School. He retired in 1991 with the rank of colonel.
Meanwhile in 1957, he received his teaching certificate from Willimantic State Teachers College and taught in the Montville school system for 43 years, first in Fair Oaks Elementary School, the Mohegan Middle School and finally Montville High School, where he became head of the physical education dept. During his entire lifetime he actively participated in sports. He played football at NFA, Fort Trumbull branch of UConn and at Fort Dix. He was a member of basketball and baseball teams in both Norwich and New London.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his sons, Howard Lamphere and his wife, Diane; Charles Lamphere and his wife, Donna; and his daughter, Jennifer and her husband, William VonWinkle. Also his grandchildren, Sheri and her husband, Nathanael Weber, Jessi Lamphere and her fiance, David Guppy, Timothy Douglas and his wife, Sandra, Anthony VonWinkle, Derek VonWinkle (predeceased), Christina Villano; his great-grandchildren, Freya Davis, Aiden Douglas and Derek Manning; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was also predeceased by his brother and sister-inlaw, Charles and Catherine Lamphere.
A calling hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Montville Funeral Home of Church & Allen, 53 Norwich-New London Tnpk, Uncasville. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m., at the funeral home immediately followed by burial with military honors at Union Cemetery, Rt. 32, Waterford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of the donor’s choice.
To leave an online condolence, please visit www.montvillefuneralhome.com.
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