TILTON - William Eugene Burgess, 88, formerly of Gilford, NH died at the NH Veteran’s Home on August 27, 2017. He was born on May 18, 1929, in Bennington, VT, the son of the late Milton and Isabelle (Belisle) Burgess. He was very proud of his Vermont heritage and enjoyed returning to Bennington often to visit family. “Bill,” or “Bud” as he was known to many, was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served at Grenier Field during the Korean War. He had been a resident of the NH Veterans Home in Tilton since May of 2017.
Bill met his bride, Shirley Mary Gorham, at a company bowling event. They were married on October 23, 1948 at St. Francis deSalles Church in Bennington. They moved to their home on Bedford Ave in Gilford in 1959 and were married 45 years prior to her death in 1993.
Bill was employed in many ways over his lifetime, but he probably made the most friends as an insurance salesman and as a rural route driver in Laconia and Belmont for the United States Post Office. After his retirement he worked part time as a courier for Village Bank & Trust and Orthopedic Professional Association in Gilford. He enjoyed flea markets and collecting “useful” objects, as well as deer hunting with his two sons. He loved children and animals.
Bill is survived by his loving companion, Marie Bonnett; his two daughters, Kathleen (Richard) Unger of Pembroke, NH and Carol (Stephen) Goetz of Freeport, ME; and two sons, Wayne (Melanie) Burgess of Gilmanton, NH and Colonel (Ret) Thomas (Waltraud) Burgess of Woodbridge, VA. He was a loving grandfather to Adam, David, Gregory, Jessica, Joseph, Patricia, Rebecca, Robert, Samantha, and Vincent and great-grandfather to Allison, Jack, Kathryn, Lilly, Lucas, Madison, and William. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a sister, Nellie Butteroff, and his brother, Harold Burgess.
Bill’s family would like to thank his special friend Diane Stetson, and the NH Veteran’s Home for their loving care of him.
Per his request, there will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at St. Andre Bessette Parish - St. Joseph’s Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, New Hampshire.
Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Gilford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The NH Humane Society, 1305 Meredith Center RD, Laconia NH 03246, or the Santa Fund of the Greater Lakes Region, PO Box 7454, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia New Hampshire is assisting the family with the arrangements.