William Russell Scott

William Russell Scott, age 78, of Wickford, RI, and Naples, Fl, died suddenly Monday, May 30th doing what he loved. Born in Providence, RI, on February 20th, 1944, to Harriet N. Walker and Charles H. Scott, Bill attended Providence Country Day School, excelling in baseball, sailing, and car racing. He graduated with a degree in business from Nichols College, where he made lifelong friendships. He was the owner of Scott Volkswagen in East Providence for over 40 years, a successful real estate developer, head of the local rotary club, President of the Rhode Island Automobile Dealer’s Association, and a national Time Magazine Dealer of Year award winner. He was a member of the Naples, Wickford, and New York Yacht Clubs, where he could often be found tinkering on his boats or laughing with friends on the docks. He traveled throughout the world and cruised extensively throughout the eastern seaboard and Caribbean on his boats with his wife, Alice.

Bill was dedicated to his children, grandchildren, and family, who loved him deeply. His empathy was profound—often meeting someone for the first time and hearing their struggles, he would simply decide to give them whatever they needed. He gave to people he hardly knew, knowing only that they were good people and needed help. His integrity, big heart, and signature laugh earned him the respect and admiration of many.

As one who enthusiastically embraced a party, he enjoyed planning family BBQs or recruiting friends for lengthy cocktail cruises at sunset. Bill’s life revolved around his curiosity and compassion for humans of all walks of life, his friends, family, and his love of the ocean. He will be remembered smiling, looking out with gratitude as he navigated the sea before him, a salty ocean breeze in his hair.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Alice H. Scott, his sister Martha M. Scott, children Kimberly Scott-Weiss (Jeff) and Charles B. Scott (Lily), stepchildren Laura N. Berry and Nathaniel B. Foss, as well as ten grandchildren: Fletcher W., Oliver S., and Charles S. Weiss, Ruby G. and Walker R. Scott; Ezra Foss, Merryn and Jake Foss, Nathaniel and James Berry as well as his nieces Kianna (Alex) and Kendall (William) Scott, cousins, close friends, and his beloved dog Lulu. He was predeceased by his son Christopher R. Scott.

There will be a memorial service at 10 am on Tuesday, June 28th, Swan Point Chapel 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906, with a reception to follow at The Agawam Hunt Club,15 Roger Williams Ave, Rumford, RI 02916. A celebration of life ceremony will be planned at Naples Yacht Club in Florida at a later date in the fall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts in Bill’s memory be made to the Christopher R Scott Endowed Scholarship at Nichols College at alumni.nichols.edu/donate or by mailing a check to Nichols College Advancement, PO Box 5000 Dudley, MA 01571.