William “Billy” Aubrey Gallien, 67, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 29th, 2024. He was born on June 24th, 1957, at the old Alexander Eastman Hospital in Derry, NH, the youngest of four sons and one daughter to the late Francis and Frances (Havens) Gallien.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karin (Taylor) Gallien; his daughter, Marissa (Gallien) Townend and husband Mark; brother, Edward Gallien; sister, Marsha Klein; brother Paul Gallien and wife Danielle. He also leaves behind many extended family members and longtime friends. He is predeceased by his brother, David Gallien.
Billy was one of a kind and will be missed for his many Billy-isms. A true character who could make anyone laugh. A loving husband, father, brother, and friend. An avid golfer and decades-long member of Hoodkroft Country Club in Derry, winning many tournaments along the way, including NH state champion. He was a natural athlete and played many sports throughout his life, including Little League Baseball in his youth; his team batting all the way to Walla Walla, WA, for the Little League World Series. He continued to play on both softball and basketball teams into his 20s before discovering a little thing called GOLF. Billy was also a loud and proud fan of the New York Yankees and Miami Dolphins. He absolutely loved rooting for the underdog. Speaking of which, he adored all creatures great and small, with extra special places in his heart for Cocoa, Goldie, Brando, Walter and his grand-pets, Lucy and Beans.
When Karin’s delicious but limited menu of nightly dinners ran their course, Billy kicked into gear and took to cooking with a culinary bravado. Known for his clever and inspired use of spices and flavors he made the best of everything and was well known for his Billy’s Chili, which was featured in a best of New England cookbook. He especially loved anything barbecue, trying to make and/or eat the most perfect cheeseburger, going to the coast for beach pizza and fresh fish, and he was always game for some Mexican food. Billy loved looking up menus in advance so he had enough time to pick exactly what he wanted to eat. He loved all kinds of music — from soft rock to metal and pretty much anything in between — movies, TV (never missed an episode of Jeopardy), trips to the shore and playing Quick Hits at Foxwoods with Karin, Marissa and Mark, playing his lottery numbers, getting his name up on the national trivia boards, and was maybe, just maybe, a little too obsessed with Wordle.
Billy went to Pinkerton Academy in Derry where he met the love of his life, Karin. Class of ’75. They married just before the historic Blizzard of ’78 on December 10th, 1977. Their only child, a bouncing baby girl, was born and the three would forge a trio for the ages.
Billy started out his illustrious “cog in the machine” career as a Circuit Board “Wizard” at Hadco, then begrudgingly climbed up the corporate ladder for many years after. Later, when Karin’s dream of owning a local breakfast spot fell into place, Billy was the reluctant yet virtuoso chef to her vivacious front-of-house, the spatula-wielding Clyde to her coffee-slinging Bonnie, at the always busy Pancake Hut on Broadway in Derry. And after many years of the daily grind, he thoroughly enjoyed retirement, keeping himself busy traveling to San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA, to visit Marissa and Mark, and road trips with Karin to Florida and Myrtle Beach, SC, in the winters to keep up on his golf game.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held Thursday, January 2nd, 2025, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am with Catholic prayers offered at 11:00 am, at Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. A private burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Billy’s name may be made to The Greater Derry Humane Society. Please get in touch with them at [email protected] or (414) 797-3877 for details.