William Chester Ahlman, died Sunday at the Catholic Medical Center, Manchester, NH.
He was born November 2, 1946 at Clover Hill Hospital in Lawrence. He was the first son born to Edith E. Butman and Richard W. Ahlman. He resided in North Salem his entire life.
Billy was a Marine Corp Vietnam Vet who fought on the front lines of the war. He was shot three times eventually being sent home with an honorable discharge and two Purple Hearts. He came home a different man with shrapnel lodged near his spine and a different outlook on life. The memories of Vietnam took a toll on him as he was a quiet man and didn't like to talk about it. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Brox Construction for several years and eventually retired. He married Lorraine Keating, having three children with her: Glen, Richard and Darlene. He and Lorraine eventually divorced but he always remained in North
Salem in the same house they shared. His children came and went to live with him as did anyone else who might have hit hard times. Bill would always welcome them. Billy's passion was race cars. He was an avid NASCAR fan and even co-managed a super-modified race car with his brother Pete. Even as a young boy he and his brothers and friends made a "figure 8" racetrack on a part of their parents' many acres of land and raced junk cars around for hours. They tinkered with them and learned cars inside out. Billy was that rare person who trusted everyone and welcomed them into his home. Anyone who was down on his luck and needed a place to stay; Billy's door was always open.
Bill was predeceased by his brothers Richard, David, and sister Nancy
He will be truly missed by all his family and friends. He is survived by his Daughter Darlene & her Husband David Coleman of Hillsboro, NH, Sons: Glenn Ahlman of Salem, NH and Richard Ahlman of Hillsboro, NH. sister Arlene Knope and her husband Kenny, a brother Peter Ahlman and his wife Jayne, a sister Barbara Marcotte and her husband James, a sister Martha Ahlman, and sister Shirley Contarino and her husband Michael. He leaves several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many many friends, including his brothers and sisters from the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge #2226.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 6 at 10 AM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St, Salem, NH. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, No. Salem, NH. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com