William D. Barnes

William D. Barnes, 83, of Colchester, died unexpectedly at his home on Birchwood Drive on September 16, 2025.
Bill was born in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Dean Webb Barnes and Virginia Belcher Barnes. He graduated from Maury High School in 1960 and Old Dominion College in 1964 and continued his studies in Marine Biology at the University of Oregon. There he met a summer research participant, Carolyn Fawcett, whom he married on July 29, 1967, at St. Johns-by-the-Sea Church, West Haven, Connecticut. Their red Old Town canoe was purchased instead of an engagement ring; it cost about the same and seemed like more fun. Bill and Carolyn lived in New Jersey for the first five years of their marriage, and their son Dean was born there. Even in those urban surroundings, they found good canoeing, but since they both loved the outdoors, Bill looked for jobs in New England and found one at the University of Vermont. They bought a home on Birchwood Drive, Colchester in 1973 and have lived there ever since. Their second son Ben was born in Vermont.
Bill's career was in biological research. At Rutgers he worked in malaria research. At UVM he worked in nephrology and molecular physiology. He particularly enjoyed computer applications and statistics, and best of all the intelligence and camaraderie of the people he worked with.
Growing up in the segregated south, Bill was early aware of social injustice. In the 1960's he joined VISTA, working with Boys Clubs and at a neighborhood center in Newark, New Jersey. In Vermont he volunteered at Burlington Emergency Shelter, Howard Mental Health, and AgeWell.
Bill was a searcher and seeker. He explored and studied intensively an amazing range of subjects - including but not limited to yoga, Hebrew, astronomy, cosmology, evolution of consciousness, natural history, BASIC and C++, Japanese art, stock investing, and most recently, ballet.
Carolyn and Bill shared their enjoyment of hiking, camping, canoeing, cross-country skiing, rail trails, and boating. They traveled to Maritime Canada, the Adirondacks, the Southwest, the Caribbean, and Ireland where they stayed with Carolyn's cousin on her sheep farm in rural Donegal, like something from National Geographic Magazine.
Bill is survived and deeply missed by his wife, Carolyn; his sons, Dean and Benjamin; his daughter-in-law, Jeni; his beautiful grandchildren, Hunter, Apple, Risland, Zephyr, Winter, Indigo, and Haven; and his great-grandchildren, Beatrix and an April baby.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, October 17th from 5-7 p.m. at the Ready Funeral Home Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Drive, Essex Junction. There will be a celebration of Bill's life on Friday, October 24th at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Church, 1061 Prim Road, Colchester, with a lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vermont Parks Forever, P.O. Box 815, Montpelier, VT 05601 or Age Well, 875 Roosevelt Hwy, Ste 210, Colchester, VT 05446.
Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral & Cremation Services.