William Mutzek Of Southampton Dies October 8

William Mutzek

William “Willi” Mutzek died on October 8, 2019, surrounded by loved ones, at home in Southampton. He was 97.

Born on August 12, 1922, on a farm in eastern Germany, he was drafted into the German Army during World War II while studying engineering in college. He didn’t serve long before he was shot in the chest and taken prisoner in France. While in the camp, he was recruited for the dangerous job of detonating mines. Though the position was supposed to be temporary, the job went on for three years, until the end of the war.

After the war, Mr. Mutzek emigrated to the United States with the help of two of his aunts. He traveled to New York on the RMS Mauretania and within three days of arriving, he got a job as an engineer. He eventually owned his own business, Spiral Tool, that produced products for Grumman Aerospace Corporation. Twenty-five of the pieces he built for Grumman were used for the exploration of the moon’s surface. He was also commissioned to build the mine cutter for the U.S. Navy.

In February 1956, Mr. Mutzek married his first wife, Jutta. The couple had two sons, Fred and Paul, and they resided in Glendale. His first wife died after a tragic accident in 1977.

In 1986, he married Suzanne Wood in Roslyn. They resided in Forest Hills Gardens, and eventually moved to share time between Windham, New York, and Fort Meyers, Florida, before settling in Southampton in 2013.

Mr. Mutzek had a lifelong love for downhill skiing and motorcycles, and is fondly remembered by his family, friends, and loved ones for his warm smile, sense of humor, and strong work ethic.

Mr. Mutzek is survived by his wife of 32 years, Suzanne Mutzek; sons, Fred (Jean) and Paul (Carina Szafranski); stepsons, Robert (Robin) Jett, Michael (Laura) Jett, Joseph (Elizabeth) Jett, Andrew (Angela) Jett; stepdaughters, Cathleen (Mark) Donovan, Lisa (Ellen Markowitz) Jett, Suzanne (John) Parry, Elizabeth (Stephen) Thomas; as well as 18 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation was at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton on October 10. A funeral service took place at the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton on October 11, followed by a burial in Windham on October 14.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.