William B. Tuttle

STERLING – William B. Tuttle, 81, of Sterling, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 5, 2015, with his family by his side after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Bill was raised in Bloomfield, Connecticut and was the son of Horace B. and Pearl (Hammond) Tuttle. Bill attended the University of Connecticut where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. An avid soccer player, Bill was the captain of the soccer team and earned three varsity letters. After graduation, Bill married his lifelong love, Rita (Coletti). They briefly lived in West Boylston before moving to Sterling where they raised their four children and resided for over 51 years. Bill’s career in the insurance industry spanned more than five decades. After several years as an agent at The Hartford Insurance Co., Bill partnered with another agent and opened Daley & Tuttle Insurance Agency in Springfield. A few years later, he ventured on his own and opened Tuttle Insurance Agency in Fitchburg. Bill moved his business to Sterling where it became a fixture on Main Street for over 30 years until his retirement six years ago. He earned many insurance industry awards and recognitions. Bill was passionate about his community, serving in many capacities. He was one the founding members of the Sterling Youth Soccer Program, and he coached and officiated at games for a number of years. Bill served 19 years on the Sterling Finance Committee and was a past President and longtime member of the Sterling Chocksett Club. He was also a member of the Clinton Rotary Club where he served as President and was recognized by the Rotary Foundation as a “Paul Harris Fellow.” For over 50 years, Bill was an active member of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Clinton where he served as Warden and Vestry member and together with his wife, Rita, worked with the parish youth groups. Bill’s love of golf drew him to The International Golf Club in Bolton where he and Rita made many lifelong friends. In recent years, Bill played regularly at Holden Hills Golf Club with a group of close friends. He enjoyed the company of others and spent many evenings throughout the years playing bridge. Bill will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Rita; a son, William P. Tuttle and his wife, Kelly of Sterling; three daughters, Elizabeth “Beth” A. Schechter and her husband, James of Miami, FL, Kathleen Newcomb of Scottsdale, AZ, and Patricia Counce and her husband, William of Scottsdale; a sister, Gladys John of Pennsylvania; seven grandsons, Robert, Colin, and Timothy Newcomb, Jonathan and Michael Tuttle, Christopher Counce, and Daniel Schechter; and many nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his brother, George Tuttle and a sister, Nancy Newell. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bill’s family from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. A funeral service honoring Bill’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 11, at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 209 Union St., Clinton. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Sterling. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd, 209 Union St., Clinton, MA 01510, or the Chocksett Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Loret Schur, P.O. Box 51, Sterling, MA 01564. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit our "Guest Book" here on our page.