PROCTORSVILLE, Vt. – William Joseph Walker, 87, of Proctorsville, passed peacefully on Jan. 4, 2024, at his daughter’s home in Brattleboro, surrounded by his family.
Bill was born on Feb. 28, 1936, in Melrose, Mass., to George and Mary Agnes (Cronin) Walker.
Bill spent three years in Germany with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict as a military police officer. After his service, Bill attended Merrimack College, where he started out in engineering and later changed his major to business administration. He began his career as a buyer with Pratt and Whitney, and then eventually went into sales. He worked for National Starch and Chemical for 32 years selling industrial adhesives. Although he ended with a degree in business, he always had an engineering mind, tinkering with everything and having a gift for solving problems. He would often go into plants and evaluate problems, only to come home and cook up adhesives on the kitchen stove until he got the right application for the client. During his career for National Starch and Chemical, he was named Salesman of the Year several times. No doubt, his determination to get the right application and his willingness to go above and beyond in order to get it, even if it meant ruining the family cookware, helped earn him top accolades in his career.
While working at his first job out of college, Pratt and Whitney, he attended a wedding of a good friend and met Claire Pettee, who was a friend of the bride. A year later the two married. Bill and Claire were married for 60 years and had four children whom they raised in Newington, Conn., and later Somers, Conn., for 20 years. They are Nana and Grampy to seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Bill loved telling stories to his children and grandchildren. He had a knack for storytelling that would captivate his audience and always leave them laughing.
Bill enjoyed downhill skiing and raised a family of skiers, spending weekends and holidays in his Vermont home near Okemo Mountain. His children and his grandchildren share his love of skiing. Bill and Claire also enjoyed spending summers in their home on Deer Isle, Maine. They enjoyed hikes on the island, sea kayaking, golfing, and eating lobster. Bill had a deep love of family, and enjoyed getting together for “Walker Days” with his siblings, nieces, and nephews over the years.
Bill was predeceased by his brothers George and Robert Walker, and his sister Dorothy Walker (Riley). His sister Mary Walker Currier passed away the same day, approximately 12 hours after her big brother Billy. We take comfort that they went into the next life together.
He is survived by his brother Donald Walker, his wife of 60 years Claire Pettee Walker, his daughter Gail Walker Babbitt (Joseph), his son James Walker, daughter Susan Walker Hutton (Thomas), and son John Walker (Erin Evans). In addition he leaves seven grandchildren Tim Hutton (Kaileigh), Andrew Babbitt (Hannah), Natalie Galarza (Joshua), Eric Babbitt, Jennifer Hutton, Aidan Babbitt, and Callan Walker. He also leaves two great-grandchildren Connor Hutton and Lucas Galarza, as well as several nieces and nephews. And lastly, he leaves his beloved dog Pandy, who was always by his side and with him until the end.
When Bill was asked what he would want included in his obituary, he said “I have lived a great life in my almost 88 years, and am proud of my children.”
In lieu of flowers, he has requested donations be made to St. Jude, Shriners, or ASPCA; organizations that he has sponsored during his life.
At this time, no funeral services will be held. Bill’s family will hold a private Celebration of Life at a later date.