W.D. “Bill” Garlington, 91, of West Grove, died at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community, on Sunday, Oct. 4. He was the husband of Helen Louise Barrows Garlington, with whom he shared 66 years of marriage.

Born in Topeka, Kan., he was the son of the late Maurice D. and Grace Webb Garlington. He was raised in Kentucky and graduated from Yale University.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, as an ensign on an aircraft carrier. After the war he returned to Yale University for his master of engineering degree.

He worked for the DuPont Company for 37 years in development in the Film and Plastics Department and retired as a senior research engineer.

He was a scoutmaster in Southbridge and was on the troop committees. He was active in interracial affairs and participated in a Unitarian sponsored West Seventh Street apartment renovation project.

He helped found the CECON scientific consultation agency and served there as a vice president and consultant for 15 years.

On retirement he did volunteer work at the Neighborhood Service Center in Oxford. He also was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, and attended the Academy of Life Long Learning in Wilmington. His interests include painting, woodworking, and woodcarving.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Laura Lee emery and her husband Bill of Ashland, Ore. and Susan Ayotte and her husband Donald of Georgetown, Del., and five grandchildren, Chris Garlington, Rea, Shannon and Ian McLean and Nathan Ayotte.

A Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the First Unitarian Church, 730 Halstead Road in Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to the Neighborhood Service Center, 35 North Third Street, Oxford, 19363.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Foulk & Grieco funeral Home, West Grove.