William "Bill" Gaertner Waldau

William “Bill” Gaertner Waldau, 83, a resident of Fort Myers, FL since 2005, formerly of Fairfield, CT, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023. He was born in Orange, NJ, the son of Walter F Waldau and Lucy Clara Gaertner Waldau.

He is survived by his loving family: His wife of almost 60 years, Mary Bourne Waldau of Fort Myers, FL; his children, W. Geoffrey “Geoff” Waldau (Dawn) of Davidson, NC, Wendy Grace Waldau Konstanty (Dan) of Fort Myers, and Matthew Gaertner Waldau (Sarah) of Fort Myers. He is also survived by his five beloved grandchildren, Maxwell, Calvin, and Lucia Waldau of Fort Myers, and Emmitt and Reagan Waldau of Davidson, NC. Also surviving are his sister, Cynthia Waldau Andrus of Cromwell, CT; his nephew, Bruce Andrus, M.D. (Stephanie) of Norwich, VT, Leslie Andrus Sokoloski (Jim) of Colchester, CT, and Mark Andrus (Alissa) of Bristol, RI; as well as four grandnieces.

Bill graduated from Summit (NJ) High School in 1958. He received an AB from Brown University in 1962, at which time he received his Commission in the United States Marine Corps. He served on both active duty and the USMC Reserves. He was employed by E.I. Du Pont de Nemours as a programmer in the early days when a computer took up a whole room. He ultimately decided that being an English major, programming at an engineering company, was not a good fit, and he decided to go to law school after all. He received his JD from Villanova School of Law in 1970 and practiced law in Darien, CT until his retirement.

Bill loved his family, his home, his Scotties, his garden, woodworking, photography, and sailing New England waters. When he retired in 2002, Bill and Mary decided to follow their dream. On October 2, they finally motored off into the sunrise on their 34’ tug/trawler aptly named Tugether. They headed south on the Intracoastal Waterway. After living aboard for three years, making three trips up and down the Waterway as far north as Plymouth, MA, and south to Key West, they dropped anchor in Fort Myers, FL. In their post-boating retirement, they enjoyed traveling, early morning walks on the beach, and hosting family and friends.

Bill was a beloved family man and a loyal friend. We shall forever treasure the memory of his love, his sense of humor, and stalwart presence. Godspeed, dear one ~ smooth sailing to your next harbor. Semper Fi.

There will be a private family celebration at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bill's memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at T2T.org, Captains for Clean Water at captainsforcleanwater.org, or the Semper Fi Fund at thefund.org

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.