William Ralph Pollard, 83, of Worcester, Vermont died at home peacefully in the arms of his wife and son on Sunday, March 10, 2024 following a long illness. Born on a farm in Richmond, Vermont on June 21, 1940, he was the son of Eldon and Fern (Dyer) Pollard.

He spent his younger years in North Sheldon, Vermont before the family moved to Morrisville where he graduated from Peoples Academy in 1958. The day after graduation he joined the Army and served in Germany as a member of the Military Police. During his time there, he traveled extensively throughout Europe. Upon discharge, he and three friends hitch-hiked across the United States. Once in Wyoming, the friends decided to hitch-hike back home. Bill stayed and worked on a cattle ranch for nearly three years where most of the work was done on horseback.

In 1965 he married Donna Gagnier. Their son, Christopher, was born in 1970. Bill spent most of his career as a master electrician, many years at the medical school of the University of Vermont, where he brought home many lab animals which were scheduled for euthanasia once the labs were through with them. Donna still remembers the full grown sheep he brought home in the back seat of his car. Due to several illnesses, he was found to be disabled in his early 50's when he had to stop working.

He was a firefighter for many years, serving in Morrisville, Waterbury Center and Worcester. He was also certified as an emergency medical technician and worked as a deputy for the Washington County Sheriff's Department. Christopher discovered scouting when he was young and Bill became a scout leader for many years. Then Christopher decided to join the Civil Air Patrol and before he knew it, Bill was heavily involved in that organization traveling as far away as Utah for meetings and conventions.

Bill loved his animals, especially all the dogs he had over the years. Although the dogs liked Donna, they were all definitely Bill's dogs. He enjoyed Saturday morning garage sales. Donna spent most of the money while he watched but about once a year Bill found something he couldn't live without and more than made up for all the money Donna had spent! After being unable to work, he discovered he loved reading and had a large collection of books. Last year he saved out his favorites and donated the rest, over 200, to the local book sale. He also could fix just about anything. For years until he got too sick to do it, we never had to have a repairman. The only things he refused to work on were color televisions and computers. Fortunately, he taught Chris well and now Chris can fix almost anything, including computers and fortunately for us, he lives next door.

Bill is survived by his wife Donna, son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Christina, grandchildren Keisha, Victoria, Kohl, William, Harrison, Riley, Finnegan and one great-grandchild, Avery. He is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Schwartz and Joyce Lanphear, both of West Virginia, as well as his brothers-in-law David Gagnier (Marlene) and Peter Schwartz and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Don and Duane, and brother-in-law Wyman Lanphear.

A graveside service will be held in Morrisville later in the spring at a date to be determined