WOO, WILLIAM “BILL” CHI-WEN

William “Bill” Chi-Wen Woo, of Guilford, CT, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in New Haven, CT on September 13, 2018.

Born in 1929 in Shanghai, China, Bill immigrated to the United States in 1947. He returned to China only once, in 2005, with his wife, children, and grandchildren to tour the country. He was educated at Diocesan Boys’ School in Hong Kong, Park College in Kansas, and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He worked for many years at Southern New England Telephone as a corporate tax and accounting specialist, although his life was defined by his family. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan Hong-Sling Woo, and his older sister, Gertrude Yang. He is also survived by his children, Gregory (Sarah) Woo, Ginger (John) Eliasberg; grandchildren Brendan Woo (Annie Lin), Lauren Woo, Claire Eliasberg (Andrew Moir), Jake Eliasberg; great-granddaughter Sophie Lin Woo; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William VenWay Woo and Grace En-Tsi Yu, as well as siblings Lily Yang, Grace Lee, Mary Board, and Paul Woo.

Bill was pragmatic, direct, and exuberant, particularly when mastering gourmet Chinese dishes, listening to classical music, fishing on his beloved Georges Pond in Maine, and loyally following the New York Giants - especially when they won. Bill loved and was very proud of his family, including his dog Tyler, and his grand-pet Cruiser. He was charismatic; if you met him you would never forget him.

A memorial will be planned in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Georges Pond Association, a nonprofit organization (PO Box 30, Franklin, ME 04634); or Yale New Haven Hospital, to honor the MICU staff that provided compassionate care to Bill and his family.