CENTER BARNSTEAD – William A. “Bill” Graves, 72, of 92 South Barnstead Road, died Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Concord Hospital.
Born on September 19, 1942 in Haverhill, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Harold L. and Belle (Foss) Graves. Prior to and after graduating from Vocational school, Bill worked for some time in his family’s IGA store in Haverhill as well as the family’s horse farm and riding school. From a young age Bill taught countless people how to ride and care for horses. Settling down in Gilmanton Iron Works, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Rena, and took in her children as his own, marrying her on December 30, 1971. Following their marriage he worked for many years as a logger, heavy equipment mechanic and saw mill operator, mostly with Potter’s Farm in Gilmanton. After sustaining injuries from a logging accident that prevented him from returning to full time logging, he and his wife established the Cornerstone Children’s Home at their residence in Center Barnstead, taking in and caring for severely disabled children. As a Specialized Foster Care Provider, Bill was humbled and content to care for those less able to care for themselves. He especially formed a strong bond with his foster child Jon and adapted Jon’s wheelchair so that he could take him boating, fishing, bike riding, snowmobiling and remote controlled car racing, for which they collected several racing trophies. Bill was known for his ability to problem solve, fix and build anything. He spent several years volunteering and offering his services to the Boy Scouts of America at the Hidden Valley Scout Reservation and was responsible for many building projects and upgrades to the property there. He also served for a time on the Belknap County Conservation Commission. He loved fishing, especially at night for hornpout with his children. He found great pleasure in wood working, weaving, latch hooking, bird watching, general tinkering and he especially enjoyed splitting wood. He was an accomplished modeler, scratch building intricate models and custom replicas of Horse drawn wagons and coaches. Before his passing he was nearing completion of a steam operated tug boat model. A man of a quiet, strong faith in God, he humbly displayed his faith by his strong work ethic, helping others, supporting many worldwide missions, and other humanitarian causes, many anonymously.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Rena (George) Graves of Center Barnstead, five sons; Douglas Graves and his wife Stephanie of Boscawen, Michael McMahon and his wife Patricia of Rockland, ME., James McMahon and his wife Tammy of Middletown, PA., Keith McMahon and his wife Beth of New Brunswick, Canada and William A. “Billy” Brough, originally from NH., a daughter, Heather McMahon and her fiancé Andrew Topouzoglou of Everett, MA, his foster children Jonathan and Rosa, thirteen grandchildren; Melissa McMahon of Menlo Park CA, Ashley (McMahon) Cummings of Newark, OH, Nathan McMahon of Whiteman AFB, MO, Emily McMahon of Rockland, ME, Joshua McMahon, Kaylee McMahon and Kelsey McMahon, all of Middletown, PA, Will McMahon of Dayton, ME., Collin McMahon of New Brunswick, Canada, Hannah Kingston and Samuel Kingston, both of Pembroke and Jakob Graves and Tyler Graves, both of Boscawen and six great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Harold L. “Pete” Graves Jr.
Visitation will be held from 1PM to 2PM on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at the Center Barnstead Christian Church, 116 South Barnstead Road, Center Barnstead. A funeral service will follow at 2PM, also at the church.
Private Burial will be held in the spring at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Gilmanton Iron Works.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Memorial Donations, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.