The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has received word of the death of retiree William Lawrence Connell, 87, of Monterey, VA. He died Friday, August 24, 2007, at his home.

William was born June 10, 1920, in Calais, Maine, and married Hallie Juanita Gilmore on March 8, 1942.

William served in the Civilian Conservation Corp. and, during WWII, also served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He moved to the Cape in 1946 and first came to WHOI in 1970 as a part time lab assistant, increasing to full time in 1971. Her retired from the Institution as a research associate in electronics in 1977.

He was a member of the Marine Masonic Lodge in Falmouth, Mass., and was an active amateur radio operator (W1LYV) from 1939 until his death. He was a lifelong student and teacher.

He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Berna L. and Garland Carpenter of Bolar, VA, Betty H. and Clinton Gurney of Fountain Hills, Ariz., and Mary Ellen Robitaille of Virginia Beach; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas R. and Penny Connell of Merritt Island, Fla., and John F.W.L. and Jane Connell of Pennsylvania; twenty grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis Nevins of Livingston, NJ, and a brother, Bernard Connell of Bedford, Texas.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Highlands, P.O. Drawer Z, Hot Springs, VA, 24445.