William F. Kidder

New London, NH-William F. Kidder, 92, died Wed., Feb. 16, 2005 at Woodcrest Village, Main Street, New London, NH. He was a native and lifelong resident of New London.

Mr. Kidder was born on Sept. 16, 1912 the son of William M. and Edna L. (Foster) Kidder. He attended Colby Hill School, Phillips Andover Academy, and graduated from Proctor Academy in Andover, NH. He received a B.S. degree from the University of NH in 1936.

Mr. Kidder served in the US Army during WWII in the European Theater with the rank of Lt. Col. He was New London Town Clerk for 40 years and was a member of the NH Town Clerk Association serving as President from 1979-1980. He was a founder and President of The New London Trust Company since it was originally chartered in 1958 until 1984 and was Chairman of the Board from 1984-1993. He was President of Kidder Garage, Inc. established by his father in 1911 and had served as Director of King Ridge, Inc. for 20 years.

Mr. Kidder was Clerk of the New London Water Department for 20 years and had been Commander of the American Legion Post #40. He was a member of King Solomon's Lodge #14 F & AM of Elkins, NH. He was a member of The First Baptist Church of New London and had been a Deacon and member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Kidder was a charter member and had been president of The Profile Automobile League of New Hampshire.

In 1975 he was New Hampshire Oil Man of the Year. He received the State Grange Good Citizenship Award and in 1977 was the recipient of the Colby-Sawyer College Town-Gown Service Award. In 1978, Mr. Kidder received the William Beall Award given by The New London Boys' Club.

From 1971-1994 he was a member of the New Hampshire Legislature and had been Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the NH Legislature for 10 years. He was a member of the University of NH Alumni Board, served on the Board of Trustees for the University System of NH from 1984-1992, and received the Profile of Service Award from the University of NH in 1993. Mr. Kidder received the Granite State Award from the University of NH in 1995.

His wife of 57 years, Harriett (Gott) Kidder, died in 1994 and his son, William F. Kidder, Jr., died in 1998. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David and Janet Kidder of New London, NH; a daughter-in-law, Marilyn Kidder of New London, NH; and four grandsons, Will, Putnam and his wife, Kara, Drew, and Stowe.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 4, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. at The First Baptist Church of New London, NH. Burial will be in Old Main Street Cemetery, New London, NH at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the New London Historical Society, P.O. Box 965, or to the WFK Ice House Foundation, P.O. Box 99, both New London, NH 03257.

Chadwick Funeral Service of New London, NH is in charge of arrangements.

For more information please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.