William Jacobs, Jr., age 99, of Shelton, entered into rest on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Griffin Hospital in Derby. He was the beloved husband of 75 years to the late Elizabeth (Tonucci) Jacobs. William was born in New Britain, CT on May 2, 1926, son of the late William and Olga (Prokopchyk) Jacobs.
He proudly served his country with the United States Army during WWII in the Pacific theater.
William came to Shelton in 1947. He was welcomed into his wife’s family with open arms. He built his home with help from his wife’s mother and father (Fiorino Tonucci and Olinda Talamelli Tonucci) and his wife’s brothers and sisters (Otto, Suzan, Armando, Arthur, Viola, and Eleanor). His home was built on land purchased from his wife’s family members.
William had a long career as a machinist / department set-up man, and he was a skilled craftsman with metal fabrication and precision machining. He was a past member of the American Legion. Early in life, he enjoyed playing the harmonica and later went on to learn and play the organ and keyboard. William loved fishing and was a member of the Shelton Bass Club. He always enjoyed being active; William loved bowling, and belonged to the Hershey Metals and other Bowling Leagues; played softball with the Hershey Metals softball team; loved to play bocce ball with the Tonucci’s and others. He loved playing golf and even played in his 70’s and 80’s with his grandson Jonathan. He also loved to play card games and board games with his wife and friends. Later in life, at his assisted living facility, he took up playing 9-ball pool with his new friends and neighbors.
He is the beloved father of William Jacobs III and his wife Janice, proud grandfather of Jacquelyn Jacobs and her husband Samuel Ansaldi, and Jonathan Jacobs, and great-grandfather of Madeline Elizabeth Ansaldi.
Friends are invited to greet the family on Sunday, April 12, from 1 PM to 4 PM in the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd. Shelton. On Monday his funeral service will begin in the funeral home at 11 AM. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Mt. St. Peter Cemetery, Derby.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s honor to either the Wounded Warrior Project or to the CT Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences can be offered to the family at www.riverviewfh.com