Portland — William Wooster Clinton, 80, of Portland, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, after a long illness.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 54 years, Alma (Patterson) Clinton; two sons, Raymond W. Clinton and his longtime companion Nancy Lewis of Holden, Mass., and Michael J. Clinton and his wife Laurie of East Hampton; a daughter, Jennifer C. Edwards and her husband Gary of Santa Cruz, Calif.; two grandchildren, Jessica and Melissa Clinton; and three step-grandchildren, Lauren and Ryan Lysak and Loren Edwards.

Bill was born in New London on Nov. 26, 1926. His parents were William W. Clinton Sr. of New Haven and Georgiana (Finch) Clinton of Norwalk. He was a member of the Class of 1945 from Robert E. Fitch High School, leaving school early to enlist in the Navy, where he served as an aviation electronic technician during World War II. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he attended the University of Connecticut under the G.I. Bill, where he earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering in 1951, and where he was a member of the Eta Kappa Nu Association.

He worked for 38 years for the City of Groton Department of Utilities. He started in the Line Department part-time in June 1951, over time holding the positions of engineer, general foreman - Electric Department and utilities manager. He was named director of utilities on Oct. 1, 1977, a post he held until his retirement in November, 1988. During his tenure with the utilities, Groton underwent rapid population and industrial growth, and he was personally involved with the extensive expansion of the electric, water and sewer departments. These included the expansion of Buddington Substation, the creation of Morgan Reservoir and additions to the Water Filtration Plant and Pollution Abatement Facility. He was a moving force behind the establishment and operation of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC), the state's only organized electric utility co-op.

Mr. Clinton was a member of the New England Water Works Association for 35 years, on the National Board of Directors of the American Public power Association, director and officer of CMEEC, and a member of the Connecticut Municipal Electric and Gas Association. With Raymond Bugbee, he established the Groton Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union. Proud of his military service, he retained membership in the American Legion for 60 years.

Bill was just as active in the community as he was professionally. He was a life member of the Poquonnock Bridge Volunteer Fire Department and served as its deputy chief for a short time. He was also a member of the Old Mystic Reliance Fire Company, and was Old Mystic's fire marshal for several years.

A religious man, he was a longtime member of Christ United Methodist Church in Groton and Contoocook Methodist Church, New Hampshire, where he lived for 12 years after his retirement, as well as St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Groton. He was most recently a member of First United Methodist Church in Middletown. He attended the Walk to Emmaus, a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders.

Bill enjoyed Native American history, genealogy, gardening, religious readings and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. His passing leaves an empty space in the hearts of his family and friends, by whom he will be deeply missed. He will long be remembered for his intense love for his God and his family, and his compassion, kindness, work ethic, keen problem solving abilities, and humanitarian ways.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum, P.O. Box 142, Warner, NH, 03278-0142, or the Historic Organ Restoration Fund, First United Methodist Church, Old Church Street, Middletown, CT.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at the website of www.doolittlefuneralservice.com .

Friends may call on Friday, April 20th, at Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St., Middletown, from 6 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 21st at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 310 Fort Hill Road, Groton at 11 a.m. and a Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 22, at First United Methodist Church, 24 Old Church St., Middletown at 4 p.m.