William T. Yao

William Tse Yao, 99, of Wilton, Connecticut, passed away on April 27, 2025, surrounded by his adoring family.

William was born on July 21, 1925, near Shanghai China. Despite losing his father at a young age, William was always positive seeing the goodness in people and life. During his childhood William was lovingly cared for by his mother, older brother, and three sisters.

After William completed his accounting studies at Shanghai High School, his family decided that he should avoid the unrest in mainland China, preserve the family name abroad, and find refuge in Hong Kong, eventually immigrating to the U.S. in 1955. Little did he know that it would be over thirty years before he would see them again.

With one suitcase and $50 in his pocket, he began his pursuit of the American dream. He worked during the day and attended school at night, obtaining an accounting degree. Eventually, this led him to a 37-year accounting career at Pan American Airways. Pan Am offered a rewarding career, but also an opportunity to travel, which he loved. It was on one of these trips that he would meet his future wife of 58 years, Tina. They went on to have two children: James and Nancy. Despite being Shanghainese to the core, William enjoyed American traditions and worked to realize them for his family. Whether it was making chicken cacciatore or spaghetti and meat sauce or encouraging the celebration of Halloween, Christmas, and July 4th, William embraced his American life.

William’s priority was always his family and their happiness. His time skiing, fishing, and spending time with his work buddies was replaced with family trips to all parts of South America, Europe, and Asia. William had a penchant for ping pong, bridge, chess, and classical music. He was the default champion of ping pong and bridge and would beat his family in chess with a small smile, and a wink, even in his final days. Through it all, William lived a full life, he was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

William was predeceased by his parents and siblings who all passed away in China. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Tina Yao, his son James Yao and wife Katrina and their children James Maxwell and Adalind Bailey, and his daughter Nancy Yao and her children William and Evangeline Maasbach.

Please visit www.Raymond.Care to leave an online condolence for the family.