William Hurd Ravell III, 86, a resident of Shelburne, Vt., and a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer, died peacefully on the morning of August 4, 2025 — Coast Guard Day.
A sailor, artist, fisherman, gardener, cook, guitar player and all-around handyman, Bill brought joy to all those around him.
Raised in Mays Landing, N.J., in a loving home with his parents, grandparents, two uncles, one sister, four brothers and one bathroom, he and his beloved siblings treated every day as an adventure — swimming, hunting and fishing. Bill could often be seen riding his bike through town with his pet crow perched on his handlebars.
After graduating from Pleasantville High School in 1956 and working at Wheaton Industries, Bill started his greatest adventure when he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1959. When asked why he chose the Coast Guard, he said it was because the Coast Guard’s priority was saving lives. He spent his first seven years on various ships, including the USS Spencer, spending time on the Bering Strait and performing search and rescue for both ships and planes. Bill was stationed in Honolulu; Cape May, N.J.; Governors Island, N.Y.; and served two stints in New London, Conn., before retiring in 1982. Bill and his family resided in Oakdale, Conn., from 1972 to until 2018, where he built strong friendships with his neighbors, often mowing their lawns.
Outside of his family, art was his primary love. From the time he was a child until the final month of his life, it was painting that brought him the most joy. His paintings are displayed at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Museum, the Monte Cristo Cottage, and homes throughout the United States and Europe.
Bill moved to Shelburne, Vt., in 2021 to be close to family. He continued to make connections with his neighbors and to produce beautiful art. He was incredibly proud to have had many paintings displayed in the halls of the Residence at Shelburne Bay.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Sandra; and daughter, Heather; as well as his parents, William Jr. and Jennie; brother Robert and his wife, Joyce; brother Ronald; and sister, Lorraine. He is survived by his son, John, and his wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Will Strafach and wife Lucia, Sam Strafach, and William Ravell IV; brother Kenneth and his wife, Virginia; sister-in-law Marsha Steet and her husband, Tom; brother-in-law, Nicholas Basile; as well as his many nieces and nephews whom he adored.
A memorial will be held on Thursday, August 14, 10:30 a.m., at the Church and Allen Funeral Home in Montville, Conn., followed by a reception at the MJS Club at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the U.S. Coast Guard Foundation.
This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2025.