2-Time Waterford Speedbowl Champion Bill Sweet Passes
Bill Sweet
April 14, 1930 – December 26, 2011
Bill Sweet, Sr. was a multi-time Waterford Speedbowl Champion Fondly-remembered as the “Norwalk Nightrider” to a legion of veteran Waterford Speedbowl fans. Bill copped the Daredevil division title for 2 consecutive seasons in 1967 & 68. Along the way, he scored a total of 40 feature victories in Daredevil, Sportsman Sedan and Grand American competition, the first in 1966, the final in 1975. He ranks first on the list of all-time Daredevil feature winners, with 31 trips to victory lane. Sweet was one of the real movers & shakers in the early days of the Daredevil division, a class of full-bodied race cars that was started in 1965 at the shoreline oval to replace a fading Bomber division. Bill’s grandson Brent currently pilots an SK Modified at the Speedbowl, his late grandfather having been one of his most-dedicated fans. Sincere condolences are sent-out to the entire Sweet family and all of Bill’s many friends on this somber occasion.
OBITUARY
William “Bill” Daniel Sweet, Sr., a lifelong Norwalk resident, passed away while surrounded by his loving family on Monday, December 26, 2011 in Norwalk Hospital following a brief illness. He was 81 and the beloved husband to Shirley A. (Thompson) Sweet of fifty-six years.
Born in Norwalk, Conn on April 14, 1930, Bill was the son of the late Edwin J. and Catherine (Lovett) Sweet and attended local schools. He entered the trade of auto repair and worked as an auto mechanic for CL&P for many years. A passion for automobiles, Bill was also an avid race car driver who spent many years at the Waterford Speed Bowl.
Bill served our Nation during the Korean Conflict in the US Army, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor.
He was a member of the Pastime Boat Club, The American Legion Post # 12, South Norwalk Boat Club, East Norwalk Boat Club, all of Norwalk; The Wilton Athletic Club and the Antique Outboard Motor Club.
Along with his wife, Bill is survived by his son, William D., Jr. and his wife, Janice Virga Sweet of Monroe; his daughter, Delene Sweet Montanaro and her husband, Michael of Ansonia; three brothers, James Sweet and his wife, Pam of Norwalk and Joseph Sweet and his wife Patricia of Norwalk and John Sweet of Brookfield; many nieces and nephews; and a beloved grandson, Brent W. Sweet.
Preceding in death were three sisters, Edna, Marion and Phoebe and two brothers, Charles and Alfred Sweet.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, December 29, 2011 in Norwalk’s Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street 4:00PM – 8:00PM.
http://yankeeracer.com/new/wp-admin/post-new.php
Bill’s funeral will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, December 30, 2011 in the parlor. Interment will follow with full military honors in Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Bill’s name to the Friends of Fisher House CT, c/o Newman Creed & Assoc., PO BOX 575, Bristol, CT 06010.
HOYT-COGNETTA is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
Calling Hours
Thursday December 29, 2011, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory
Funeral Service
Friday December 30, 2011, 10:00 AM at Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory
YOU MAY START ARRIVING AT 9:30AM.
Interment
Friday December 30, 2011 at Lakeview Cemetery
Sources:Tom Ormsby/SpeedwayLineReport.com