William Wintrhop Karl

WILLIAM WINTHROP KARL, 56, of 1 Ranger Court, Jamestown, RI, died Wednesday at home. He was the husband of Kathleen OConnor Karl. Born in Fitchburg, MA, on October 7, 1950, he was the son of the late William H. Karl and Isabelle Louise Lombard Karl. Mr. Karl was a software engineer who worked most recently at Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton, CT. Bill?s true passion was music. He was an accomplished musician and composer. Bill was a member of the Jamestown Community Chorus which performed several of his recent works. His choral composition ?Prayer for Peace? premiered November 2005 as part of the ?Rhode Island Sings? at the Veterans? Memorial Auditorium in Providence. His superb singing voice brought great pleasure and joy to his friends, family and fellow choir members at St. Paul?s Church in Newport. Bill was an avid photographer. His love of the ocean inspired much of his photography. Bill?s quiet humor and steadfast spirit inspired and touched many lives. Bill was a dear and trusted friend who will be greatly missed. Besides his beloved wife, he leaves four sisters, Elizabeth Knowles of Spicewood, TX; Marilee Karl-Foubert of Rome, Italy; Ruth Karl of Granite Shoals, TX; and Beverly Christenson of Fitchburg, MA; his nephews David, Greg and Chris Knowles, Hans, Eric and Sven Christenson, and Carlos Karl; his nieces Alice Foubert, and Ana and Rose Karl. Bill was a wonderful man whose generosity, kindness, and thoughtfulness will be treasured forever. His funeral will be held Sunday, November 26, 2006, at 2:00 p.m., in St. Pauls United Methodist Church, 12 Marlborough Street, Newport. Calling Hours will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2006, from 2:00-5:00 p.m., at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Bill bravely battled cancer and died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Donations in his memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, c/o Dr. Mary-Ellen Taplin, Suite D 1230, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115.