William Raphael Janolis, 87, was born near Wilton in November 1925 and died Thursday, March 28, 2013, near Morro Bay, Calif.
His parents were Felix and Amelia (Dzekunskas) Janolis, and he was the youngest of seven children. Uncle Bill attended Wilton High School and subsequently farmed with his parents on South Ridge, near Kendall. Throughout his entire life, right up until the end, he always remembered his dear friends from the Kendall area.
In about 1970, Uncle Bill and his parents sold their farm on South Ridge and moved to California to be near other family members who had migrated there in the 1930s. After working for 25 years at repairing and maintaining heavy equipment, he retired to enjoy his garden and art collection, many of which were oceanscape paintings by his wife Virginia. Uncle Bill had an infectious smile and a very kind heart.
He is survived by his sisters, Mary and Gloria, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, a sister and his wife, Virginia.
A graveside service was Thursday, April 4.
