Community Corner

The Obituary of Brian Bill, Stamford Native and Navy SEAL [Update]

Stamford Patch releases this obituary, courtesy of the family of revered Navy SEAL Brian Bill and Leo P. Gallagher & Sons Funeral Home.

Updated, Aug. 10 5:07 p.m.

According to an official press release, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has ordered that all flags in the state of Connecticut fly at half-post until the day after Brian Bill's funeral.

"Chief Petty Officer Bill’s family and friends are in our prayers as we grieve the loss of a true Connecticut hero,” Governor Malloy stated.

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“The city of Stamford and the State of Connecticut will always remember the sacrifice that Chief Petty Officer Bill and the other courageous men and women in uniform have made in defense of our nation."

Original Announcement

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Chief Petty Officer Brian Robert Bill, 31 of Virginia Beach, Virginia was killed in action on August 6th, 2011 in Wardak province, eastern Afghanistan.

Born August 23, 1979 in Stamford, Connecticut. He was the son of Dr. Michael and Patricia Parry of Stamford, CT, and Scott Bill of Sarasota, Florida.

Chief Special Warfare Operator Bill was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Trinity Catholic High School, Stamford and Norwich University, Norwich, VT with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical
Engineering.

In June, 2001 he enlisted in the United States Navy to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. After Basic Training in Great Lakes, Illinois he attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, CA. In 2003 he was designated as a SEAL and assigned to an east coast SEAL Team based in Virginia Beach, VA.

During his career he was decorated with the following personal awards: three Bronze Stars with Valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons and three Good Conduct Medals.

Brian was a skilled fly-fisherman, skier and skydiver. He was an accomplished mountaineer with successful summits of Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia. He had completed several marathons and obtained his commercial pilot’s license. He independently studied Russian and became fluent in French.

In addition to his parents he is survived by his grandmother Betty Hardiman, brother Christian Bill, sister Amy Kutney, her husband Chad and daughter Ryder, sister Andrea Sholes, her husband Christopher and daughter Kyra, sister Kerry Welch, sister Tessa Bill, brother Morgan Bill, Aunt Anne Goebel and her husband James, Aunt Sharon Davis, Uncle Thomas Davis and his wife Joanne; Aunt Maureen Corcoran; Aunt Mary Sikes and her husband John; Uncle Jeffrey Davis, 12 cousins; Jay Goebel, Kate Noell and her husband Hunter, Martha Goebel, Molly Goebel, Gregory Davis, Julia Davis, Sophia Davis, Johnny Sikes, Bennett Sikes, Kitt Sikes, Uncle Stephen & his wife Sue Parry, Great Uncle Monsignor William Nagle, Great Uncle Dr. & Mrs. John Nagle, their children, John, Jeffrey, Brian, Kathleen, Kerry and their families.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Cecilia Church, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT; funeral arrangements to be announced. Leo P. Gallagher & Sons Funeral Home will handle the arrangements. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Navy SEAL Foundation at navysealfoundation.org or to Norwich University in his name for a scholarship to be named later. To leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com.


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