William Conn Scott, noted businessman
William Conn Scott, 89, died Tuesday, May 16, 2023, peacefully at home in Salisbury, Md. He was born Jan. 1, 1934, to J. Conn Scott and Helen Baker Scott of Selbyville. Devoted husband, father and grandfather, Bill is survived by his wife of over 66 years, Janet Morris Scott; his sons, Robert, Richard (Lisa) and Edward; his grandsons, Wesley (Mallory) and Alex; and his sister, Jane Scott Ward.
Lifelong companions, Bill and Janet were born months apart and grew up across from each other on Dukes Street in Selbyville. In his junior year of high school, he went to study at the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J., and upon his graduation, Bill and Janet both attended the University of Delaware, graduated and returned to Selbyville where they were married in 1957. Bill would take over the family business, J. Conn Scott Furniture, that was founded by his father in 1924, expanding it into the highly successful and well-respected institution it is today, about to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
He raised his three sons in Selbyville, and they spent summers in Lewes Beach.
Bill had a keen interest in history, interior design, antiques and architecture, and with the skilled hand of a draftsman, he sketched on cocktail napkins many of his architectural ideas that ended up being implemented in homes he designed.
He traveled Europe often, particularly England, where he made annual trips to visit friends he and Janet had made there.
His extensive knowledge of American history, Colonial Williamsburg, specifically his expertise in Delaware history and his deep family roots in Sussex County dating back to the 1600s, led him to design the Sussex County flag that was adopted by the State of Delaware in 1974. Upon retirement, Bill and Janet traveled to La Jolla, Calif., regularly and spent long summers at their home in Bar Harbor, Maine, where he devoted his time to oil painting and working in their garden, and developed what would become a lifelong connection with St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church.
Bill was never not imaginative in his thinking, always creative, quick-witted and remarkably funny. He could find humor in almost any situation, sometimes leading to laughter in moments that some might deem inappropriate (which as we all know is some of the best kind of laughter there is). All these qualities made him adored by those who knew him and sorely missed by those who grieve him.
Visitation, open to friends and family, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 1, at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home, 19 S. Main St., Selbyville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church in Bar Harbor, Maine, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury, Md., or St. George’s Chapel in Sussex County, Delaware.
Condolences may be sent by visiting bishophastingsfh.com.
