William Howard Weeks Jr., of Southport, Conn. died on March 20, after a brief but valiant battle against cancer. He was 39 years old.

William was born at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Conn. on Oct. 29, 1985 to Bill and Olivia (Fry) Weeks. He is the beloved husband of Courteney (Riedell) Weeks and the father of Marion Weeks.

He was the second of the four Weeks children and the adored brother of Alexa Pessoa, Whitney Pickett and Olivia Weeks. Theirs was a family of camaraderie and joy, from which a blueprint emerged on the importance of love and loyalty.

A graduate of Green Farms Academy, William went on to Boston University, before obtaining his degree from Suffolk Law School. As he moved through his education, his life was enriched not only by the knowledge he acquired, but by the deep friendships he forged. His quiet magnetism, enduring loyalty and acute sense of humor made him a best friend to many.

His family is comforted by the fact that he lived his all-too-short life fully, soaking up all that the world had to offer him. His combined love of travel and history led him to many countries in Europe as well as a year-long stay in Australia. His passion for skiing took him and Courteney to multiple ski resorts across Canada and the United States, including a winter spent in Colorado in 2021. Throughout his travels, he never forgot about his nieces and nephew, sending them enthusiastic postcards from wherever he went.

He was a fierce competitor in both pickleball and hockey. He played hockey from middle through law school and was a lifelong fan of the New York Rangers. His adventurous side led him to flying, where he learned to fly solo on the grass runways of Martha’s Vineyard.

The Vineyard, a place where the family summers, was in many ways the center of William’s well-traveled life. It holds fond memories of the Fourth of July and other holiday celebrations with loved ones and friends. The family boathouse in Edgartown was the scene of countless unforgettable gatherings, with William at the helm. The Vineyard is also where he met his wife, Courteney.

Like his great-grandfather, William was an entrepreneur. He was an early entree into the medical cannabis market and was fascinated with the future uses of hemp. He had a curious mind and was a voracious reader. His bookshelves held hundreds of books that influenced and inspired him, and he delighted in recommending his favorites to friends and family. Engaging in a political debate with William was not for the faint of heart, as his unique mixture of passion and knowledge made him a formidable conversationalist.

In typical William dichotomy, his fierce knowledge was countered by an unabashedly tender love for West Highland Terriers — especially his and Courteney’s loyal companion, Tugboat.

His closet housed an abundant sweater collection, trademark needlepoint belts, tartan flannel shirts and signature workout headband — all anchors in his wardrobe. He loved a roaring fire, a good sleep-in on the weekends and afternoons spent golfing with friends at the Country Club of Fairfield.

But most of all, he loved his wife, Courteney.

Courteney was ever-present by his side, showing unflinching courage, strength and love during his illness. Supporting a patient with cancer takes a village, and William was grateful to have the unremitting support of his parents, his sisters and their partners, in-laws and extended family and friends. With their support and advocacy, William beat many of the initial odds presented to him, battling with a tenacity that was indicative of his character. The family is grateful for the tremendous care William received from his team of doctors and nurses during the time he spent at Yale New Haven Hospital, particularly Dr. Tariq Ali.

William was not only loved, he was cherished. He is survived by his wife, Courteney Weeks and their daughter, Marion Moughan Weeks, who he fought so hard to meet. Marion was born shortly after his death on April 23.

He leaves his parents, Bill and Olivia Weeks; his sisters, Alexa Pessoa and her husband Rodrigo, Whitney Pickett and her husband Doug, and Olivia Weeks; his beloved nieces and nephew, Cecilia, Sophia, and Luciana Pessoa, Storey Alcorta, and Jack Pickett; his in-laws, Bruce and Sharon Riedell and Andrew Riedell; as well as beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

William’s family is forever grateful for his deep circle of friends, all of whom continue to sustain them through his passing.

William was impassioned about raising awareness for the illness that ultimately took his life, early onset colorectal cancer. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Nicholas Tierney GI Cancer Memorial Fund at Vanderbilt University or Memorial Sloan Kettering Colorectal Cancer Research. The family is grateful for MSK’s research and participation in the Breakwater Trial. This study allowed for FDA approval for a new drug protocol that extended William’s life and allowed him to go home for a brief time.

A private family ceremony will be held in June on Martha’s Vineyard, followed by a Celebration of Life in Southport, Conn. for family and friends later in the year.