William O. Sears

On March 8, 2026 after an acceleration in declining health, William O. "Billy" Sears peacefully passed from this life with his children and goddaughter at his side.

Bill was born April 10, 1947 in Burlington VT, the only child of Richard Nelson Sears and Ruth Wade. He spent his formative years in Winooski and Burlington and graduated from BHS, the first class to graduate from what was then, the new high school. He met his wife, Claudie, while she was working as a rollerskating carhop, when they were both still in high school. He thought she was cute. She thought he looked like Rhett Butler. The story goes that he stopped by her house and was promptly shooed away by our grandfather and told to only come back once he cut his hair and was clean-shaven. He obliged and they were married for nearly 30 years before parting ways. During that time, they raised 5 children in their Milton home and fostered many more. He coached his sons in hockey, sat through his daughter's dance recitals and athletic events, served on the Milton School Board, advocated for his disabled daughter's needs, and took the youngest of the crew, "Smally Pauly" with him nearly everywhere. A core memory is eagerly waiting for Dad to arrive home from his shift at the firehouse with a dozen doughnuts for us and a nap on the couch for him.

After his Vietnam Era military service via the Navy, he forged what would become a bit of a legendary career as a professional firefighter with the Burlington Fire Department. He served 43 years in public service – the longest tenure in the history of the department. Most firefighters typically retire after 25, but it was much more than a career to our Dad. These men became the brothers he did not have as a child and the extended family he needed throughout his life. Over the week-long hospital stay leading up to his passing, we were touched by the stories shared and the sheer number of his colleagues that came, more than once, to pay their respects and offer their support. Thank you to Woody, Steve, Bruce, Barry, Terry, and all the others who gave us a glimpse into the man he was, outside of our siloed view as his children. Our father was an intensely private and incredibly humble man, so hearing this perspective and the hero that he was but would never, ever boast about, was a blessing. He didn't shed many tears in front of us, but one especially hard call to his youngest daughter while she was away at college, to let her know that a fire had claimed the life of one of her dearest childhood friends – a kid he knew most of her life - showed just how hard he tried to be as gentle as possible with the profound and traumatic loss he encountered, and no doubt weighed on him, throughout his career.

Outside of his work, he was an avid 'collector'. He had an appreciation for anything antique and vintage but especially loved a good car show and a hot rod. We were dragged to many a car show, flea market, estate sale and auction as kids and while we didn't appreciate it then, it fostered an understanding and love for the value of a dollar and how to stretch it as far possible, well made goods that stood the test of time and real tangible history that we could hold in our hands. As young people we didn't always want to be there or listen to him talk about car parts, or his latest find. As adults, we value the lessons he was trying to bestow on us in his own way.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife Claudie, and his daughter Jessy. He leaves behind his 3 sons Robert Sears, Joseph Sears and partner Jess, Paul Sears and wife Melissa and his daughter, Andrea Dion and husband Jeff. He was a grandfather of 7 – Jordan, Lo, Tya, Olivia, Cameron, Cooper and the newest addition, Warren and a great-grandfather to Grazelynn. He was affectionately known as "Uncle Bully" to several nieces and nephews and a foster parent to 45 children. In his later years, he found companionship and a kindred spirit in his special partner, Ilene. Together with her family, they enjoyed many wonderful years together and a shared love of hunting for treasures, family get-togethers and of course, the WOKO Flea Market. We are grateful for the love, support and fun they brought to his life. Finally, he leaves a network of close friends from his Milton community - Jimmy, Mike, Krista, Kevin, Luke, Charlie, Steve and The Whitney's. Diner dinners, Sunday morning coffee at McDonald's and flea market picking and car show hopping – his retirement years were full of good friends and good 'junking'.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 20, from 2pm to 4pm, with a service to follow at 4:00pm at LaVigne Funeral & Cremation Service, 132 Main St., Winooski. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 11, at 1:00pm at St. Ann Cemetery in Milton.