Bill Hescock, NS politician, dies

North Stonington - Bill Hescock saw himself as just a low-key country lawyer, right down to the white Federal-style house he used as his downtown office and his penchant for helping those who couldn't afford his services.

His dedication to the town and its people, though, went even further.

In November, the 57-year-old Wheeler High School graduate was elected to the school board and he previously served as a selectmen. He chaired the Democratic Town Committee, was very active with the Wheeler Library and helped those less fortunate whether it was serving meals at a New London soup kitchen or serving on the board of the Westerly Adult Day Care.

But he also knew how to enjoy life whether it was to go out for a run, play a round of golf, ride his motorcycle or jet off to Australia with his wife Regina, an art teacher at the high school.

It was during a holiday trip with his wife to see relatives and friends that he died Friday in Philadelphia.

"You know when people say 'you should live life to the fullest because you never know when it's your time?' Well, Bill truly lived life. He knew how to enjoy life," said local attorney Stephen M. Reck, one of Hescock's closest friends. "He had a great spirit."

"He's been part of this town for years. He went to high school here. He grew up here. He knew everyone in town," he said.

Reck said Hescock was also "not afraid of a good fight" when it was needed and pointed to a recent case when they worked with other residents to successfully oppose the construction of a 10-bedroom duplex on a rural road in town.

Reck said Hescock especially helped senior citizens. If they came in and couldn't afford an attorney, he would find a way to get something done for them.

"He was compassionate. He was generous in ways people didn't know. He did not show that side of him," said Kathie Kallen, Hescock's paralegal who has known him since high school.

She said Hescock and his wife had first traveled to Pittsburgh to see her family, then to Washington and on to Philadelphia where they spent New Year's Eve with his college roommate.

Hescock mostly worked in the areas of zoning, real estate and probate law.

Stonington attorney Matt Berger, the immediate past president of the New London County Bar Association, said he had some cases with Hescock, who he said always put his clients first.

"He wouldn't let anything go for his clients. He cared most about doing right by them," Berger said. "He was just a great lawyer and a great guy."

Hescock's friends and relatives will gather at the Wheeler Library on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, contact the library.