A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for closing a transmission control protocol connection in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method sends a first transmission control protocol option requesting a use of a silent transmission control protocol closure for the transmission control protocol connection, receives a confirmation from a recipient device that silent transmission control protocol closure is to be used for the transmission control protocol connection, sends a second transmission control protocol option that indicates a connection timeout period for the sender device, receives a connection timeout period for the recipient device, tracks the connection timeout period for the sender device and the connection timeout period for the recipient device, and closes the transmission control protocol connection when one of the connection timeout period for the sender device or the connection timeout period for the recipient device has expired.