Queen, Jr., William O.
William O. Queen Jr., 59, of Southington passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. He was the loving husband of Patricia (Dutton) Queen, whom he called his soulmate.
He was born April 30, 1964, in Meriden and was the son of Dorothy (Adamik) Queen of Southington and the late William O. Queen Sr. In addition to his wife, he leaves his two sons, William O. Queen III and Alexander J. Queen, both of Chicago, his sister Patricia Queen of Southington, and his brother David Queen and wife Michelle of Southington. Bill also leaves behind cousins and many friends. In addition to his immediate family, Bill embraced his wife's family as his own: Odette Kaplan and the late Martin Kaplan, Sharon Dutton and the late John Dutton, Nicole Disken, David Dutton, and their families.
Bill graduated from Wesleyan University in 1986 with his soon-to-be wife. From graduation to his retirement in 2020, Bill spent his 34-year career with Travelers Insurance, where he led multiple national divisions of the company. Through Travelers, he sat on the Board of Directors of Inroads and was a recipient of the Frank C. Carr Founders Award.
His work led him to Michigan, where both of his sons were born, and then Chicago before he moved back to Southington. Bill always knew that he would come home, but that did not stop him from making life-long friends wherever he was. Bill was most proud to be a father and devoted himself to sharing his passions and beliefs with his sons. He valued family above all else. Like his father, Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish, hike, and ski. He was happy in nature, most of all at The Camp in the Berkshires. He brought his mom whenever possible. Bill was also an excellent cook and spread joy to loved ones through his food. He loved basketball, played through college, coached his sons and youth teams, and became the assistant coach for Southington High School Girls Basketball.
Most of all, Bill loved his wife, Patricia, and was most at peace cooking for her in their kitchen, gardening together, and watching the sunset on their porch. They returned to Foss Hill together year after year to celebrate the place they met, fell in love, and married. His funeral will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 37 Main St., Southington. Burial will follow at South End Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday from 12-4 p.m. at the Dellavecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington. For online condolences and directions please visit, www.dellavecchiasouthington.com.
The family plans to start a scholarship fund in Bill's honor to support Southington scholar athletes. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting this cause at https://gofund.me/d25b2ab0.