William Richard Hutchison “Hutch” passed peacefully on March 15, 2026 at the Regional Hospice in Danbury. He was born on January 3, 1947, in Tyrone, Penn., a son of William and Jessie Hutchison.

He graduated from Tyrone High School and went on to attend West Virginia University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in marketing and went on to earn a Master of Science in Industrial Relations (MSIR) degree in December 1969. He started his career with Union Carbide Corporation in Sistersville, W.Va., in January 1970, moving from Sistersville to Bound Brook, N.J., and finishing his career as director of Compensation and Benefits in Danbury in 2001.

Prior to his retirement from Union Carbide Corporation, Bill developed and taught an intensive annual seminar in Collective Bargaining at West Virginia University. After his successful professional career, Bill was hired at West Virginia University as an executive-in-residence in the Master of Science in Industrial Relations program for nearly two decades where he taught Compensation, Performance Management, and developed a three-hour credit course in Collective Bargaining. He positively influenced nearly every student who passed through the MSIR program with his real-world experience and mentorship, offering practical insight, encouragement, and unwavering support. His last year as executive-in-residence the graduating MSIR class had a 100% placement rate as a testament to his dedication and mentorship.

An avid fisherman, he and friends went on an annual fly in fishing trip to Manitoba, Canada. He and his wife Jane enjoyed summers at the cottage on a lake in Ontario. They also enjoyed spending time going to WVU’s men’s and women’s basketball games.

Bill was an excellent extemporaneous speaker and loved to talk on a wide range of subjects.

A loving husband, a good man, and a friend, he was preceded in death by his parents William and Jessie Hutchison.

Bill is survived by Jane, his loving wife of 55 years, his brother-in-law Ed Bookman, his cousins Kathie Kelley and Bill Kanour, and Suzanne, Sam, Max, Liam, and Dominic Pinion and Fur Kid Jade.

Special thanks to Dr Gil Lancaster, both his cardiologist and friend for many years, and to the Regional Hospice in Danbury.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. May his memory be a blessing.

Memorial donations in his honor may be made to Regional Hospice of Danbury, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury CT 06810.