Colwell, William F. (Bill) died in his home on March 4, 2017 in Arlington MA due to glioblastoma brain tumors. He was 68. William was born on December 27, 1948 in Boston MA to his parents, Martin Colwell and Fernande (Ratte) Colwell. He graduated from Boston Latin School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. For over 35 years Bill worked at the Charles Stark Drapper Laboratory in Cambridge MA as a systems administrator. He married Kathleen Gerety Colwell in 1981. The Colwells moved to Arlington where they enjoyed many activities in town. Bill also enjoyed classical music, fine dining, skiing, bike riding, history, and supporting his favorite New England teams. Mr. Colwell is survived by his two sons Martin and William (Billy) along with Billy’s future wife, Mellissa (Basil) O’Brien, and his sisters Alice Colwell from UT and Anne Colwell Desmond and her husband Leon from Maine with their children, Jimmy, Joey, Jessica, Jeffrey, and Jay and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Priscilla Colwell, and his nephew John Desmond. Mr. Colwell will be cremated and his remains will be disbursed or buried in a private ceremonial later in the year. Relatives and friends are invited to visit in the DeVito Funeral Home 1145 Mass. Ave., ARLINGTON on Thursday from 4-8pm and to a funeral home service on Friday at 10am. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, please donate to WGBH who provided Bill with music which brought him peace, comfort and hope throughout his 2+ years of troubling times. Please visit wgbh.org/donate. For directions or to send a condolence visit, devitofh.com