WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. William L. Dudley died Saturday, July 26, at Northwestern Medical Center at the age of 95.

Bill was born Feb. 6, 1930, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Colonel Harry E. and Mary Jane Thomas Dudley. Bill graduated from the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He received his bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University in 1952 and master's from Massachusetts Institute of Technology following his service in the US Army signal corps during the Korean War. While at Purdue he was Editor in chief of the Purdue Exponent and President of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

He was assistant to the CEO of Sprague Electric Company before becoming an investment advisor with Goodbody in 1969. Known for his honesty and judgment, he developed a large, devoted client base. He retired in 2000 from AG Edwards and Sons, a St. Louis, Missouri based investment firm.

Bill married his first wife, Kathyrn Means in 1952 and they lived in Williamstown and had 5 children. Kathryn died in 1970. He met his second wife, Kathy McGowen Douglas, a teacher to his son, Clif, at a parent/teachers conference in Williamstown in November 1974. They were married on April 13, 1974. Theirs was a truly loving relationship of 51 years. They moved to St. Albans in 2006 to be close to their daughter, Kaylie Collins and granddaughter, Margot.

Bill was devoted to community service, having served on the Williamstown Finance and Housing Authority committees. He was chairman of Elder Services of Berkshire County for which he served on the finance committee, helping elderly individuals with their finances for free, a board member of Berkshire Healthcare Systems and Kimball Farms Retirement community, and Williamstown Town Moderator for 14 years. He received the Faith Scarborough award in recognition of his outstanding community service.

Bill had a deep appreciation for classical music, poetry and literature that he shared with his wife Kathy. Though 17 years apart in age, they were true soulmates. His intellect and sense of humor imbued their time together with joy and laughter.

He enjoyed working on outdoor projects, gardening, and using his engineering and woodworking skills to build things for his family. Bill was a source of strength for his family, a quiet leader who always acted with grace and humility. A generous, warm-hearted and loving man who touched so many during his lifetime, William Dudley will be greatly missed.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kathy, 4 daughters, Kaylie Collins of St. Albans, Noelle Dunlop (and husband James) of Miller Place, New York, Karen Bamburak (and husband Chris) of Arizona, Kristen Puerta (and husband Dorian) of North Carolina; 3 sons, Curtis Dudley (and wife Annette) of Bennington, Vermont, Clifton Dudley (and wife Judy) of Belmont, Massachusetts, and Craig Dudley of Virginia, as well as nine grandchildren, Jennifer Stephens, of Commerce Township, MI, Benjamin Dudley, of Leesburg, VA: Julie (Dudley) Russell, of Bennington, VT, Christian Dudley, of Allston, MA, Mitchell Dudley, of Raleigh, NC Margot Collins, of Whitefish, MT Clara Dunlop, of Columbus, OH William Dunlop, of Atlanta, GA Annika Dunlop, of Miller Place, NY and five great grandchildren: Nolan Stephens, of Commerce Township, MI Logan, Liam Russell, of Bennington, VT and Samantha and Raelan Dudley, of Leesburg, VA

The Dudley family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the staff at Northwestern Medical Center for their truly compassionate and loving care of Bill during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Vermont Public Radio in Bill's memory, 365 Troy Avenue, Colchester, Vermont 05446.

Services will be private and at the convenience of Bill's family.

Honored to be serving the family of William Dudley, is Rett Heald of the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.