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Remembering

William G. Borchert, Sr.

September 9, 1933 – October 1, 2022

Wake - Friday, October 7 in Trumbull, Connecticut

Funeral Mass - Saturday, October 8 in Stratford, Connecticut

More information below.

After this weekend's in-person wake and mass, the Borchert family will announce future plans for a separate online memorial. This weekend's activities will not be streamed online or recorded. 

In Memory of William G. Borchert, Sr.

Father, friend, and acclaimed writer Bill Borchert served as a Stepping Stones volunteer for a half century. He was a close friend to Lois Wilson during the last 16 years of her life.

Bill first met Lois through his wife of 65 years, Bernadette, and also met Bill Wilson many times. Along with their nine children, the Borcherts frequently visited Lois at Stepping Stones and included her in family gatherings and holiday celebrations at their home. Lois' beloved tabby cat (pictured below) was named "Borchie" after the family. 

The life, love, and legacy of the Wilsons was shared in Bill Borchert's book and screenplay for The Lois Wilson Story: When Love is Not Enough and the screenplay for My Name is Bill W. His creative efforts helped build a stronger worldwide awareness of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon Family Groups, and the hope found in 12-Step recovery.

 From 1997 to 2006, Bill was a Stepping Stones Foundation Board of Trustees member. He was Board Vice President from 1999-2002, and chaired community and public relations committees. From 2007 until his passing, Bill was a Stepping Stones Advisory Council member. He volunteered at dozens of Annual Stepping Stones Lois' Family Groups Picnics. He shared his A.A. recovery story (sober since April 8, 1962) during the 70th Annual Picnic and throughout the world.

We will be forever grateful for Bill Borchert's friendship with everyone at Stepping Stones, his creativity and passion for sharing the gift of recovery, and the kindness and devoted service he freely gave to Stepping Stones and countless fellows.  

Wake & Funeral Arrangements

Wake - Friday, October 7, 2022, 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m.

Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, Connecticut

Mass of Christian Burial - Saturday, October 8, 2022, 10 a.m.

St. Mark's Catholic Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers, the Borchert family requests that you please donate to the Stepping Stones Foundation. 

Upcoming Online: The wake and mass this week will not be recorded or broadcast online. An online memorial will be scheduled by the Borchert family for a later date. 

Scroll down for the full obituary or click here to read it on the funeral home website.

Obituary

William G. Borchert was an author, screenwriter, public relations executive, community leader, loving husband, father and grandfather, and a friend to many. Bill wrote the Emmy-nominated screenplay for the 1989 film My Name is Bill W., which was based on the true story of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson. He also wrote the book The Lois Wilson Story: When Love Is Not Enough, which he later adapted into a screenplay for the Hallmark movie When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, which aired in 2010.

Bill passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2022, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his nine loving children, Judith Anne Makrakis (Thomas), Charlotte Hunt Nodine (James), William G. Borchert, Jr. (Tricia), Lawrence Jude Borchert (Rana), John Howard Borchert (Sharon), Robert Paul Borchert (Diane), Walter David Borchert (Denise), Daniel Thomas Borchert (Elizabeth) and Angela Marie Johnson, 25 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren in addition to his sister, Marilyn Dean, and brother, Rob. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Bernadette, and sister, Patricia Gass.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, on September 9, 1933, he was a son of the late Willian H. and Ruth McLintock Borchert. Bill began his career with the New York Journal-American newspaper and became a featured by-line writer for newspapers, magazines and radio. He married Bernadette Forcina on March 16, 1955. In 1969, the family moved to Rye, NY, and started public relations firm, Borchert-Barrett Associates, in New York City. Bill coached his sons' Little League and Babe Ruth League baseball teams, and his daughters' softball teams. 

In 1972, Bill became a partner in Artist Entertainment Complex and produced movies including Dog Day Afternoon, Kansas City Bomber, and Serpico. He was a member of The Writer's Guild of America with 25 published titles, including: When Two Loves Collide: The Inspiring Story of Dr. John and Dot Mooney; Sought Through Pray and Meditation; 50 Miracles That Changed Lives; and 1,000 Years of Sobriety. Bill was a trustee of the Stepping Stones Foundation, whose mission is to foster a public understanding of alcoholism and inspire recovery.

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