William A. Daggett

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – William A. Daggett passed away on Oct. 11, 2023. He was 86 years old.

Bill was born in Brunswick to his parents, Athern and KT. His father was a professor and eventual president of Bowdoin College, while his mother was a singer, actress and the local writer of the “social” page in the town newspaper. Bill and his younger sister, Ellen, enjoyed growing up in this small college town on the coast of Maine – ice skating on frozen lawns in the winter and sailing on their friends’ boat, the Dovekey, in the summer.

A lover of music, travel and the arts, Bill was a lawyer, and earned degrees from Wesleyan University and Yale Law School. He served as an officer and a lawyer in the U.S. Navy and then settled in Boston, Mass. where his career spanned time in corporate law at Goodwin, Proctor and Hoar and the Bank of New England and ended in administration for the Attorney General’s Office of Massachusetts. His time in the AG’s office was the highlight of his career, and he was beloved as a patient mentor.

Music was a great passion for Bill and many a beautifully sung aria or sensitively played piece could bring a tear to his eye. Curious by nature, he was absolutely devoted to the ritual of his daily newspapers and loved connecting with others through thoughtful and wide-ranging conversations. Bill’s generosity, humility, kindness and genuine interest in others made him a lovely person to be around. He was quick to laugh and always looked for ways to be of help.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis, in 1993.

He is survived by his loving daughters Katie Daggett and Zoe (Daggett) Krohne, and their spouses David George and Todd Krohne; his devoted sister, Ellen (Daggett) Glatter and her husband Jack Glatter; grandchildren Liesel and Joshua; nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service and celebration of Bill’s life is planned for Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at Old South Church in Copley Square, 645 Boylston St., Boston, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Youth Advocacy Foundation (youthadvocacyfoundation.org) or City Strings (citystrings.org).