WILLIAM C. DAVIDSON

WILLIAM C. DAVIDSON - NEW HAVEN - William C. Davidson, 72, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014, at his home in New Haven from complications of Parkinson's disease and ALS. He was born in Rutland on Jan. 27, 1942, the son of R. John Davidson and Bertha Morehouse Davidson. Bill attended school in Center Rutland, graduated from Rutland High School in 1960, and from the University of Vermont in 1964 with a Bachelor Degree in Economics. Having completed the ROTC program at UVM, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving in Vietnam from February 1967 to February 1968 as a Forward Observer and Artillery Officer. After his return from Vietnam, Bill began a successful career as a stockbroker at Francis I. DuPont. He was with the same firm until he retired from Smith Barney in 2002. Bill was a wonderful husband, dad, uncle and friend. He loved skiing with his sons at Mad River and coaching their Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams. He loved his time spent on the golf course and at deer camp with his friends. Sports were an important part of Bill's life. He played baseball and football for Rutland High School and football for the University of Vermont. He was a longtime member of the Middlebury College Golf Course. Bill lived an active life with Parkinson's disease, continuing to ski, play golf and do Pilates until he was diagnosed with ALS. He faced this new challenge with the same courage, determination and goodnatured humor as he faced his previous challenges. Although ALS slowly imprisoned his body, ALS never touched his spirit. He was blessed with family, friends and caregivers who accompanied him on this journey. Bill was predeceased by his parents; sister, Lora Ann Munukka; and his identical twin, Robert N. Davidson. He is survived by his wife and friend of 46 years, Candy; sons, Andrew O. Davidson of Oakland Park, Fla., and Brian M. Davidson of Beach Lake, Pa.; grandson, Blake M. Davidson of Scranton, Pa.; and several much-loved nieces and nephews. Bill and his family were thankful for the benefits he received from the Veterans Administration, first for Parkinson's as a result of Agent Orange, and then for ALS. They are also thankful for his years of care from his Parkinson's neurologist Dr. Hamill, the doctors and staff at ALS Clinic at FAHC, and the Spinal Injury Clinic at the White River Veterans Hospital, and John Stansbury of Paralyzed Veterans of America. The family is grateful for his caregivers and the aides and nurses from Addison County Home Health and Hospice. They made it possible for Bill to stay in his home until his death. They became his friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Bill at the Kirk Alumni Center at the Middlebury College Golf Course, Middlebury, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be a graveside burial for the immediate family at an earlier time. Assisting the family is the Brown-McClay Funeral Home, Bristol. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753; or the New Haven Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 120, New Haven, VT 05472.