On October 21, 2025, Dr. William Connelly Waterfield (Bill) passed away peacefully in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the beloved husband of Geraldine "Gerry" Daley Waterfield; devoted father of Megan W. Ross and her husband Doug Ross, and Michael R. Waterfield and his wife Sarah G. Waterfield; and loving grandfather of Drew, Will, and Ceci Ross, and Max and Cassie Waterfield. He was the dear brother of Dorothy "Dottie" Ashmore and was preceded in death by his brother Robert "Bob" Waterfield, sister Carol Algard, and parents Frank Waterfield and Eleanor Connelly.

Bill grew up in Oreland, Pennsylvania, spending his summers in Ocean City, New Jersey, where he and his brother worked at the local A&P grocery store. Before that, they spent summers as counselors at a camp in Maine, where their letters home often ended with the plea, "Keep Maine Green," meaning "please send money." Even as a child, Bill was known for his kindness, curiosity, and steady presence, helping his sister with homework when his brother teased instead.

A proud graduate of Duke University (Class of 1968), Bill was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and a lifelong Blue Devils fan. He went on to earn his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and served as a physician in the U.S. military in Honolulu from 1977 to 1979. He married the love of his life, Gerry, in 1969, and together they built a home and a life filled with family, friendship, and adventure.

After settling in Ellicott City, Maryland, Bill dedicated his career to oncology, practicing at St. Agnes Hospital and later serving as Chief of Medical Oncology at Franklin Square Hospital. His patients and colleagues remember him for his compassion, skill, and deep sense of responsibility. In later years, he continued to serve communities across the country as a locum tenen physician, practicing medicine well into his seventies until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outside of medicine, Bill embraced life with energy and enthusiasm. He was an avid golfer, celebrated for his hole-in-one made with his son-in-law and proud of his title as Senior Club Champion at the Baltimore Country Club in 2010. He loved skiing (famously nicknamed the "blue cruiser"), biking, traveling, and any adventure that could include his children or grandchildren. From Broadway shows and bike rides to rocket launches and Lego building, Bill's joy was in creating memories with those he loved.

A devoted Duke basketball fan, he relished talking game stats with his grandkids, delighted that they too had become Blue Devils fans. He also cheered enthusiastically for the Ravens and the Orioles, never missing an opportunity to celebrate a win or to share one of his corny dad jokes. His favorite "rules" for the pool, for instance, were "no getting wet and no having fun," a line that never failed to make his family laugh and roll their eyes in equal measure.

Holidays were Bill's favorite time of year. He filled his home with music, laughter, and Christmas traditions, from reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and setting up electric trains around the tree, to hosting breakfast with eggs benedict and Christmas cookies. He and Gerry were always there for their family, whether traveling across the country to babysit or welcoming everyone to their home to celebrate.

In recent years, Bill and Gerry moved to Baltimore's Roland Park Place, where Bill joined the choir and continued to make friends easily with his warmth and humor. He cherished every moment spent with Gerry, his children, grandchildren, and friends near and far.

Bill will be remembered for his generosity, unwavering love for his family, and his enduring belief in showing up for the people you love. His presence brightened every room, and his example will continue to inspire all who knew him.