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William Merrill Chester

1925 - 2023

BORN

1925

DIED

2023

FUNERAL HOME

Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home - Chelsea

300 Vt. Route 110

Chelsea, Vermont

William Chester Obituary

Name: Memorial service for William Merrill Chester
Start: 2023-12-28T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Tunbridge Church

William Merrill Chester

Tunbridge, VT - Bill Chester, also known as Uncle Billy, Opa, and Dad, peacefully departed on December 18th in Tunbridge, Vermont. His life, marked by a love for adventure and family, unfolded with grace. Born in 1925 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bill's journey encompassed roles as a WWII Navy veteran, dedicated skier, and global traveler. From competitive races in Wisconsin to flying across the world, he embraced diverse experiences.

Bill's passion extended to animals, reflected in his role as President of the Wisconsin Humane Society. His love for music and the arts manifested in attendance at countless shows and his unique ability to play the xylophone. After retiring in 1987, Bill and his wife, Priscilla, settled in Tunbridge, Vermont, where they continued exploring their shared interests, from the Arctic Circle to Antarctica.

A man of many talents, Bill acted in films, flew planes into his 80s, and authored "Great Circle, World Flight Adventure." Predeceased by Priscilla in 2014, Bill's legacy lives on through his four daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will take place at the Tunbridge Church in Tunbridge, VT, on December 28th at 1 pm.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Concord Monitor on Dec. 22, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for William Chester

33 Entries

Rick & Sarah Scully

April 2, 2024

Bill and Priscilla were such wonderful, kind, and generous people, who did so much for their adopted community of Tunbridge, Vermont. Rick will cherish memories of Bill from when he worked at the Tunbridge Store. He always had a smile for everyone he encountered. Our deepest sympathies to his family on their profound loss. He lived life to its fullest and that leaves a hole in any family. May his memory always be a blessing.

Bob & Sally LeFeber

January 25, 2024

I remember when Bill and Priscilla stopped in Seattle on their way back from Bhutan. Somehow they connected with me and invited us for dinner. My wife Sally and I were captivated by their warmth, charm and wonderful travel stories. We also introduced them that night to my mutt of a dog named "Chester". He certainly had a remarkable life. We are sorry for your loss but join you in celebrating his wonderful life.

John Williams

January 23, 2024

Just received the notice of Bill`s passing. I`ve known him since I was a small boy, age of 10. He was so knowledgeable to speak with and I always enjoyed our meetings. My sincere condolences to the family.

Marie-Agnes Sourieau

January 19, 2024

Dear Chester Sisters,

I loved Priscilla and Bill, and so did my children, Mathieu-Pierre and Astrid. We have so many fond memories of happy times spent with them in Milwaukee, in Tunbridge, especially Tunbridge, at the lake in Quebec, and somewhere in Mass. where we did cross-country skiing once. They both were generous, interesting, engaged in many endeavors. Indeed they led a beautiful life. It has been a privilege to know them.

Janet Zug

January 19, 2024

Bill and Pricilla were true gems in our Tunbridge community. I am grateful to have been touched by their lives and generosity in sharing their land for recreational activities.

Frances Wurlitzer

Planted Trees

Marty Gratz

December 31, 2023

I am sorry to learn of Bill´s passing but it helps to know that he had such a rich and fulfilling life during the time he was here with us. I will not forget the kindness and appreciation that was given to me by both Bill and Priscilla when I installed, and maintained the perennial gardens at their beautiful home on the hill in Tunbridge. While I never got the opportunity to visit with Bill and Priscilla after gardening there, over 30 years ago , I always felt connected and touched by their annual holiday card that would tell me about their life and later about his life with family and friends. I hope to get to his memorial when the weather is warmer but if not, my condolences to his children and his entire family. God Bless, Marty Gratz

Sally L Drucker

December 30, 2023

I will remember so many wonderful family gatherings with "Uncle" Bill and all of the Chesters with fondness....but one in particular is the ice boating with him on Lake Oconomowoc, what a thrill! A man of laughter, joy for life and a giving heart.

The Tom Read Family

Planted Trees

Wisconsin Securities Partners

Planted Trees

Deborah Lockhart Phillips

Planted Trees

Cynthia Herbert

December 26, 2023

I have many, many wonderful memories of Bill and Priscilla. One of the best was when Bill flew me and Sarah--we had only recently started our Moonshine Design business--up beyond Trois Rivieres (Quebec) to a cooperative mohair spinnery. His plane was packed with us and bags and bags of fleece. We all joked that if the plane crash-landed we would be so cushioned we wouldn't feel a thing!

Ariane D K & Robert E S

Planted Trees

Marcia Stone

December 23, 2023

Marcia Stone at Kendal send condolences to the Chester family. My husband John knew chips and Bill has young men at a dude ranch out west. We very much enjoyed his time at Kendal where we had a chance to reminisce about those days.

Frank Lamson

December 22, 2023

The first time I met Bill was under unusual circumstances. In the early 1980´s, I responded with the South Royalton Rescue Squad to "a woman in the river", in Sharon, Vermont. On arrival, we found a canoe on the opposite side on the river and a tall man next to a woman, in obvious pain lying next to him on the rocks. We waded the river and returned with Pricilla on a litter- she her broken her hip in a fall while boarding the canoe. Bill rode with us to the Dartmouth Medical Center and during the ride I got to know Bill. We saw each other often in South Royalton, Bill always wanted to know about my family and how things were going. I will miss him.
Frank Lamson
South Royalton, Vermont