William (Bill) Peter Desautelle, Sr. died on December 23, 2025, with his beloved wife and family members by his side. He was 86.

Bill will be remembered by his family as a generous and caring individual who established a lasting legacy of support and love for his wife, children, grandchildren and siblings. He was first and foremost a family man, both a loving and devoted husband and an amazing father who had a profound impact on his children. He took immense pride in his children’s achievements, both as parents and in their career choices. His love for and focus on the welfare of his family served as a role model for all.

He was born in Bronx, N.Y., and raised with four siblings and two cousins in a loving home. He attended Xavier High School in Manhattan, graduated from Fairfield University, and received a master’s degree in finance from the University of Connecticut.

His notable and highly successful career included positions as an engineer with United Nuclear Corporation and with Westinghouse Laboratories, working on sensitive national security systems.

He was hired at the age of 35 as the treasurer of Smith and Wesson in Springfield. In 1979, he was appointed treasurer of Kaman Corporation, a Fortune 500 producer of Navy helicopters. He rose to senior vice president of finance, where he stayed until his retirement in 1998.

After retirement, he remained active as a financial advisor, serving as a trustee for the Kaman family and managing assets for several organizations and charities. He served on the boards of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association in Oak Bluffs and the Pelican Sound Golf Association in Florida.

He was a 60-year summer resident of Oak Bluffs and he cherished the time he spent on the Island with his family. In recognition of his deep love for his campground cottage and the legacy it represented, he named the cottage Family Treasure. His children later adorned the home with a beautiful nameplate, which hangs there today as a lasting symbol of his love and devotion to his family.

He spent countless hours researching local and state archives and documenting a detailed pictorial history of his home and the Camp Meeting community he so dearly loved in a book he titled The Lives and Families of 27-28 Trinity Park.

He and his wife Rachel were active members of both the East Chop Beach Club and the Edgartown Golf Club. He spoke often of his love for the Island and the beauty of the shores in the late 1960s. He also treasured memories of taking his young children out on South Beach in his 4WD Scout, and later in his retirement years he could often be seen enjoying the beauty of the Island in his vintage red jeep.

His generosity, wisdom and love were an inspiration and created a legacy which will be carried on by his family. We will miss him more than we can possibly express.

Bill is survived by his wife Rachel; his four children from a previous marriage and their loved ones Christopher Scott (Jolene), William Peter Jr (Maria), Mark Alfred (Kristin), and Jill Terese Newcomer (Andrew); his 10 treasured grandchildren (Danielle, Scott, Cully, Casey, Will, Nick, Morgan, and Tate Desautelle, and Nate and Avery Newcomer); and his stepson Chris Martin (Eric).

He is further survived by his sisters Noreen Kirk of North Carolina and Barbara Fainer, and brother Robert, both from Connecticut.

He was predeceased by his brother and best friend Paul and his stepdaughter Kimberly Martin.

A private life celebration will be held in his honor by his family in Oak Bluffs in the fall of 2026.