Gene D. Willey

SHOREHAM - Gene D. Willey, 86, passed away at the home of his son, Lyle, in Bakersfield on Friday, February 10, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born October 24, 1930 in West Littleton, NH to Rupert and Georgia (Farnham) Willey.

Gene was a 1948 graduate of Littleton High School and pursued his lifetime passion of dairy farming, beginning on the family farm off the Foster Hill Road. On July 31, 1949 he married Anita Santy of Lyman, NH and together they worked the farm and raised six children. In 1963 Gene and Anita purchased and operated a farm in Shoreham, Vermont where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Gene was both an ambitious and progressive farmer. In addition to farming, he was a licensed cattle dealer, real estate broker, and operated a farm auction business. He served as a dairy advisor to U.S. Representative James Jeffords, was President of the Addison County Farmer Bureau, and a key legislative liaison for both the local and state Farm Bureau. He was an early member of the Shoreham Fire Department, a town lister, and member and Trustee of the Shoreham Congregational Church.

He is survived by four sons; Curtis, Sr. (Jeanette) of Bridport, John (Deborah) of Hydeville, Lyle (Carol) of Bakersfield and Ronald (Regina) of Whiting, one daughter, Carol Hubbard of Brandon, 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson; a brother, Mervyn of Island Pond, VT, brother-in-law, John MacIver of Littleton, NH; many nephews, nieces and cousins. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Anita, in 2012 and his son, Lenard, in 1991.

The family would like to thank the many Home Health and Hospice workers and volunteers of both Addison and Franklin County who allowed our parents to remain at home for the past ten years. We are deeply indebted to you.

Visiting hours will be Thursday, February 16, 2017 from 4-7:00 PM at Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls with a time of remembrance at 7:00 led by Rev. Barbara Purinton.

Funeral services will be Friday at 2:00 PM at the Shoreham Congregational Church, Route 74, Shoreham Village with Rev. Christina Del Piero officiating. A time of visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 PM until the hour of the service. Interment will be held this spring in the Lake View Cemetery in Shoreham.

Contributions in Genes memory may be to Addison County Home Health, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753 or Franklin County Home Health, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.spearsfuneralhome.com