William C. Watt ’91 died on May 18, 2025, in Seattle, Washington.

(The following is a family provided account on May 18, 2025:)

William C. Watt ’91

William Connolly Watt June 21, 1969 – May 18, 2025

Billy was more than a brother – he was a light in our lives, a friend to all, and a soul who made the world brighter. This page is a tribute to his incredible spirit, boundless kindness, and the love he shared with everyone he met.

Born in Rochester, NY, Billy moved with his family to Orono, Maine, and later Andover, MA. At Phillips Academy, he shone as a fast swimmer and talented water polo player. His academic journey took him to Bowdoin College, where he earned a degree in Asian Studies and became fluent in Japanese, followed by a PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Washington. His passion for science led him to a career in biotech where he founded several successful biotech startups focusing on cancer and autoimmune disease medicines.

Billy lived life with unmatched energy. Whether jamming to Van Halen on his guitar, whipping up a gourmet meal, traveling the world, collecting art, curing cancer, or walking his beloved dog, Luke, he brought heart to everything he did.

As his little sister, nine years younger, I cherished every moment with Billy. When we moved to Andover, he was already busy with high school and later college, but I’d trail him like a puppy whenever I could. During our childhood summers at Lake Winnipesaukee, we’d spend all day in the water with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents-swimming to Store Island, floating on scorching rubber tubes, jumping off the dock, and waterskiing. Visiting him at his college frat house was a thrill for ten-year-old me; he was the coolest, most handsome, most wicked awesome brother, making me feel like the luckiest little sister in the world.