William ‘Bill’ T. Wachenfeld

William “Bill” T. Wachenfeld, of North Chatham, eldest son of William A. and Ann (Weir) Wachenfeld, passed away surrounded by family on May 10, 2024. Bill was 98.

He is survived by his daughter Robin Wachenfeld, son John Wachenfeld (Daisy), step daughters Sally Toffic and Anne Roberts, daughter-in-law Beth Wachenfeld, brother Howard Wachenfeld, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary (Sherer) Wachenfeld, son William S. Wachenfeld, stepchildren Douglas Roberts and Nancy Hurst, and siblings Donald and David Wachenfeld and Elise DePapp.

Bill was a graduate of Neward Academy, where he later became President of the Board, Tufts University, and Duke University School of Law. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Bill served both at sea and as a naval law instructor and legal officer at the Newport, RI naval base. He was admitted to the NJ bar in 1949, and was a partner in the Newark, NJ law firm of Lum, Fairlie and Foster before moving to Prudential Insurance Company, where he was employed for over two decades as vice president and associate general counsel. Bill’s lifelong passions included philanthropy and a study of natural wildlife. He served as President and Chairman of the Board of the Charles Hayden Foundation, trustee of the William E. Simon Foundation, President of the Essex County (NJ) Parks Commission (overseeing building of the Turtle Back Zoo), and in many other civic roles.

Bill was a frequent visitor to Chatham beginning in childhood, and moved here permanently in 1983. He was an avid supporter of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Cape Cod and NY Museums of Natural History, and the Cape Cod Symphony. He was a dedicated protector of the environment and “green spaces,” and supported the conservation trusts of Chatham, Harwich and Brewster.

Bill’s children and grandchildren remember “Grandpa” best as captain of “The Wachy,” who introduced each of them to boating, exploration of the beaches surrounding Chatham, summer band concerts, and countless beach walks to examine and learn about local wildlife.