William Spencer Nauss, of Colchester, passed away at the age of 88 on Saturday, May 11, 2024, after a brief illness.  Fondly known as “Bill” or “Spen,” he was born in Hartford, CT on May 4, 1936, a son of the late, Gordon and May (Ploufe) Nauss.  Bill was a proud veteran having served in the US Army, 187th Regimental Combat Team as an Infantry Airborne Paratrooper shortly after the Korean War.  On November 24, 1962, he married the love of his life, Joan Cormier.  Soon after, the couple settled in Lebanon at Amston Lake where they made their home and raised their family.  They were communicants at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Colchester. 

Bill retired from Windham Community Memorial Hospital in Willimantic in 1998 after a successful career managing their stock room.  He was an avid fan of all sports, particularly baseball.  Bill especially enjoyed coaching his son’s little league team, the Lebanon Mets.  He loved spending time with his family and friends whether it was fishing, playing golf, or “game day” for cards and board games.  He was happy with simple things like watching his grandkids’ school events or having a bowl of ice cream while watching a Red Sox or Mets game on Sunday.     

Bill will be sadly missed, but always remembered with love by all who knew him, especially his loving wife of 61 years, Joan Nauss; his children and their spouses, Laurie (David) Pudlo of Colchester, Lynn (John) Cipriano of Amston, Loren (Laura) Nauss of Colchester; grandchildren, Allen (Amelia) Pudlo, Diane (Kevin) McDougall, Spencer Nauss, Sawyer Nauss; great grandchildren, Eden McDougall, Myles Pudlo; and many other family members and friends.  In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by all of his siblings, Gordon Nauss, Hilda Dumond, Phyllis D’Addario, and Gerald Nauss. 

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Friday, May 17, 2024, at St. Andrew Church, 128 Norwich Ave., Colchester, CT 06415. Bill’s family will greet friends from 9:30-10AM prior to the Mass. Following the service, burial will take place at the New St. Andrew Cemetery with military honors.