William B. Maley Sr.

William B. Maley Sr., 99, of Orange, CT and beloved husband of sixty-five years to Elisabeth Maley, passed away peacefully at his home on September 19, 2023. Born on May 29, 1924 in Kankakee, IL, he was the son of the late Robert and Kathleen Maley.

Known as Bill to family and friends, he had begun his college education at MIT when World War II began.  Serving in the Army Air Corps he was a navigator on B-24s based in Italy.  While serving as a navigator, Bill received the Air Medal for “meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy.”  After graduating from MIT in 1948, Bill worked as a salesman for Reliance Electric and then, in 1959 with his partner Harry Jones, formed Trans-Lite, Inc. in Milford, CT.  Trans-Lite manufactured rail and locomotive lighting and destination signs sold globally.  Although the company was sold in 2012, many of the products Bill helped design are still in use today. A committed member of the Milford business community, Bill served in volunteer leadership roles at the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, the Milford Hospital, and the Milford Bank.

Bill is survived by his wife Elisabeth (Betsy), his children William Maley Jr. and his wife Janet, Andrew Maley and his wife Margaret, and Ann Maley, MD.  Bill is also survived by his grandchildren David Maley and his wife Kjersten Criss, Sarah Maley Scheller and her husband Dieter, Matthew Maley and his fianceé Sarah Champernowne, Margot Maley and her partner Soham Trivedi, Ginger Maley and their partner Fae Roberts, and Vivienne Maley and her girlfriend Eileen Gallardo and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. The family is being compassionately cared for by the staff at Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., Milford.

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