William Walter Bitterli, 82, of Simsbury, beloved husband of Janice Ann (O’Reilly) Bitterli, died Friday, December 9, 2022 at John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington. He was born December 27, 1939 in Staten Island, NY, son of the late Walter and Dorothy M. (Tiernan) Bitterli and had lived in Simsbury for over 50 years. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an actual rocket scientist, and was a graduate of Cooper Union, Class of 1961, having received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Bitterli was a Professional Mechanical and HVAC Engineer having been employed at Combustion Engineering, a partner at Savage Engineering, and ultimately retiring from his own firm, William W. Bitterli, PE in Simsbury. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Simsbury. Bill was a Lions Club member and enjoyed volunteering for the yearly Jack Bannon Turkey Trot and various other community projects. Most of all he loved to plan vacations that brought his extended family together, especially in Martha’s Vineyard. He was a voracious reader, trivia savant and had a somewhat unseemly weakness for slapstick humor. His love of chocolate leaves the industry reeling from his passing.

Bill’s proudest legacy was his large and close-knit family. In addition to his loving wife of 60 years, he is survived by his children, Kathy Murphy and husband Tom Vorderer of Suffield, Bill Bitterli and partner Karen Lubin of West Hartford and Susan Volpe and husband John of Londonderry, NH; his brother, Bob Bitterli and wife Patty of Jacksonville, FL; his 12 grandchildren, Megan Murphy, Annie Murphy, Sara Murphy, Casey Bitterli, Riley Bitterli, Jack Bitterli, Anne Bitterli, Kayla Volpe Wilson, Jennifer Volpe Hamel, Elizabeth Volpe Santschi, Angelina Volpe and Jaidence Volpe and his 3 great grandchildren, Jude, Damian and Abigail. He was also very fond of John Murphy, father of three of his favorite grandchildren.

There are no calling hours. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 17th at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road in West Simsbury. Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Bill’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com and leave us your best Bill/Grandpa/Mr. Bitterli story!