William “Bill” T. McClenaghan

William “Bill” T. McClenaghan, passed peacefully in his sleep. He was the son of the late Viola and William W. McClenaghan. Husband to Rita McClenaghan. Father to Patricia Kerschner (Steve), Linda Arena (Edward), and William W. McClenaghan (Alice Osborne). “Papa” to Jacqueline Novotny ( Jon Crowe), Kelly Paltoo (Irwin), Scott Novotny and Sydney Arena; and great-grandfather to three. To know him was to love him.

Bill was an army veteran, a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne; a proud UCONN graduate and an accomplished businessman. Throughout his life, he was associated with experimenting with ways to measure children’s radio listening and conducting one of the first such tests in 1979. During his lengthy career in radio research, he was credited as being the “Father of Arbitron Radio” for designing and implementing the Arbitron Radio rating service. While Sr. Vice President at ABC Radio, Bill received the Hugh Malcolm Beville, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Assoc. of Broadcasters for superior leadership in the development of the audience measurement field and integrating audience research into the broadcast managerial process. He also received Radio’s Outstanding Researcher Award for his commitment to the research field. One of his proudest accomplishments was being instrumental in the development of Radio Disney.

Bill was an athlete all of his life; an avid runner and frequent marathoner, golfer, golden glove boxing champion in the army, and bowler. Anything he took on he did with dedication and determination: pool and poker shark, “horseshoe champ”, Power Squadron Instructor, and dog whisperer- to name a few. There was no quit in him, that was true until the very end.

Above anything else, Bill’s proudest accomplishment was his family, which included his beloved dogs who were his best friends and devoted companions. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren fiercely. He spent the last three years doting on his great-grandchildren and delighting in their presence. Bill and his family are grateful to Bill’s friends, which saved his life. His larger-than-life personality will be dearly missed.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 30th, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue in Norwalk, CT. A brief service will begin at 10:30 AM in the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to PAWS of Norwalk.