William Vermeulen

William Peter Vermeulen, 94, of St. Johnsbury VT passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at his home, with his family by his side.

William (Bill) was born to the late Mary and Jan William Vermeulen of Stamford, CT. He had one brother, Dirk. Bill graduated from J M Wright Technical School in 1949. He received his formal education in Connecticut and after that became employed with the Electrolux Corporation in the engineering department as a design draftsman. On March 6th, 1952, he became a member of the United States Navy. Bill always enjoyed flying and photography and was sent to Pensacola Florida Naval Air Station to photography school. After training in aerial photography via helicopter he was transferred to the Naval Air Station in Port Lyautey, Morocco, North Africa as a Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer during the Korean war. He was discharged from active duty on February 14, 1956, and from the military reserves four years later in 1960. Bill returned to his job at Electrolux Corporation as a mechanical engineer and received patents for some of his work. Bill met his wife, Ann Franks, at work and they got married on April 13, 1957.

Bill and Ann had three children: a daughter, Janet, a son, Peter and a son, Michael. In 1968 Bill found employment at Fairbanks Scales in St. Johnsbury, VT where he has lived since then.

Bill and Ann enjoyed vacationing in Florida for many years until Bill retired and they purchased a winter home in Vero Beach. After losing their home to a hurricane in 2004, they purchased another home in a retirement community in Micco. Eventually they moved in with their son, Peter, in Clearwater.

After retirement from Fairbanks, Bill got his real estate license and became a landlord of multiple local properties including the post office in Barnet VT.

Bill had many interests and passions including a love of art and history. He volunteered in several capacities for the Town of St Johnsbury. Bill was a long-time member of the St. Johnsbury planning board. He also worked on blood drives in St. Johnsbury for many years. Bill was a great storyteller and could talk at length about many topics.

Bill was an unwavering optimist. He was a very strong yet gentle man who loved his family, his friends, his community and his country very much. He maintained his sense of humor throughout all his challenges and has given his loved ones an example of how to live a successful life filled with love, respect, determination, integrity and grace. He will be greatly missed by many.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Janet Maxwell of Bridgton ME; a son: Peter Vermeulen of Clearwater, FL; a son: Michael Vermeulen and daughter-in-law: Mary Vermeulen and their family of Ascutney, VT; a nephew: Marshall Vermeulen of Virginia and many close friends in Vermont and Maine.

Bill is predeceased by his wife of over 63 years: Ann Vermeulen; his parents: Mary and Jan William Vermeulen; his brother: Dirk Vermeulen; his nephew: Billy Vermeulen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Earl and Pauline Franks and his son-in-law: Alfred W. Maxwell III.

A celebration of life for Bill and Ann will be held at the American Legion Hall on Maple St in St. Johnsbury, VT on Saturday, October 25th from 1:00PM-4:00PM. Please stop by at any time to share some memories, stories and hugs.

Memories and condolences may be shared with family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com.