William David North, devoted and beloved long-time partner of Karen S. Perkins, passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital on July 1, 2021.

Bill was born in Albany, NY on September 24, 1937 to George Augustus North and Doris Dart North.  He graduated from Cornell University in 1961, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, with a five-year degree in Electrical Engineering and was subsequently granted a MSEE Certificate.  He pursued further advanced engineering studies at RPI, Williams College, and the University of Connecticut.

Bill spent over 25 years at IBM, rising to the coveted position of Director.  He was one of the pioneers who brought the first RAM semiconductor memory into the industry, and is the holder of many patents including the first widely used memory cell that is still used in our credit cards. Bill subsequently became the acknowledged IBM expert on Japan, leading all of IBM's semiconductor competitive assessment activities, which resulted in the formation of the national initiative on semiconductor technology, Sematech, through which US companies and government agencies exchanged critical information.  His final role at IBM was to oversee a major curriculum transition at its corporate education center with a focus on quality control and unprecedented cultural and behavioral change.  After retiring from IBM, Bill applied his specialized skills for several years at ASML Lithography Equipment Company in Wilton, CT.

Once fully retired, Bill became an active member of First Church of Christ Congregational of Redding, CT, where he was elected to the Church Council and the position of Property Chair, a responsibility he faithfully fulfilled for many years on an almost full-time basis until his recent illness.  Under Bill's caring and skillful leadership, significant historic restorations to both the 1837 Church structure and the 1789 Parsonage have taken place, including the complete replacement of the church's massive steeple.  His technical knowledge, dry humor, and devoted commitment to the church in so many ways will leave a lasting legacy that will be appreciated by generations to come.

Bill was proud of the fact that he kept his advanced prostate cancer under control for nearly 30 years through his dedicated commitment to proper diet and nutritional practices.

In addition to Karen Perkins, and many dear friends including Monique North, Bill leaves two treasured daughters from his first marriage to Virginia Quinzani, Nancy Delogu of Arlington, VA and her husband Joe and their children Adam, Julian and Leo, and Cheryl Desvernine of Richmond, VA and her husband Keith Sawyer and their children Julia and William Desvernine; two sisters, Susan Andorn of Wrightsville, PA and her children Jon Andorn and his wife Pamela of Hamilton, OH and their children Chelsea, Sarah, Jack, Mary and Patrick, Bob Andorn and his wife Donna of Collegeville, PA and their children Faith, Tyler and Ethan, and Tim Andorn and his wife Jesse of Savannah, GA and their child Matt, and Betsy Robinson of Whispering Pines, NC and her partner Anita Emery; Karen Perkins' children, Julie Quamma of Seattle, WA and her husband Mike and their children Samantha, Kate and Sarah, Bob Perkins of Dallas, TX and his wife Andrea and their child Sabrina, and Dana Browne of Newtown, CT and her husband Todd and their children Quinn, Max and Riley.

Bill and Karen shared their appreciation of classical music and for many years loved to attend concerts both in NYC and Massachusetts, as well as spending many hours together listening to Bill's sound system in their West Redding home, both of which Bill had conceived and designed.  Their place overlooks a tranquil pond with a waterfall which provided the backdrop for Bill and Karen to enjoy endless hours of enjoyment at home.

A celebration of Bill's life as partner/father/grandfather/brother, concert lover, serious "geek", Mr. Fixit, deep thinker, and inveterate helper to all who knew him, will take place in the Fall at First Church of Christ Congregational of Redding, CT.

One of Bill's final wishes was to install a sprinkler system in the church in order to preserve its historic structure should a fire occur.  Those desiring to make a memorial contribution honoring Bill may choose to donate it to the Sanctuary Sprinkler Fund, First Church of Christ Congregational, 25 Cross Highway, P.O. Box 1055, Redding Center, CT  06875.