CHARLESTOWN — William R. Bushway, 83, passed away on July 15, 2018 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon. He was born on July 7, 1935 in Bellows Falls, Vermont to Charles V Bushway and Clara E (Stanford) Bushway. Bill grew up in Westminster, Vermont.
He married Patricia M Clifford in 1957 in Charlestown. They were happily married for 61 years. Bill joined the National Guard in Bellows Falls, Vermont in July 1953 and served during the Cuban Crisis until 1962.
His early construction career started at McLeod Contracting in Saxtons River, Vermont, followed by Bragg Lumber in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Then in 1957 he moved to MacMillin Co. in Keene, and eventually retiring from there as construction supervisor.
Bill was a former member of the Charlestown Congregational Church and the North Charlestown Methodist Church, volunteering in many capacities. He was lately a member of the Springfield United Methodist Church. He was a past member of the Charlestown Senior Center serving as vice president.
Bill was active in Boy Scouts of America, Daniel Webster Council, and served in many capacities, starting in 1971 with him being a patrol dad. Among many awards he received were District Award of Merit 1979, Leadership Training 1981, Arrowhead Honor 1982, Scouters Key Award 1983, Hang In There award 1985, Scouting for Food 1988-89, Sunapee District Commissioner, Sunapee District Chairman 1989-90, and the highest award in scouting the Silver Beaver 1986.
Bill was predeceased by his parents; his stepmother, Ida Bushway; his brothers Charles H Bushway and Robert E Bushway; a grandson, Garrett H Bushway; a nephew, Bruce Bushway; and a niece, Deb Payne.
Bill is survived by his wife, Pat of Charlestown; sons Richard Bushway and wife Deborah of Acworth, Scott Bushway and wife Gina of Westmoreland, Shawn Bushway and wife Amber of Charlestown; sister Irene Brown of Gardner, Massachusetts; sister-in-law, Ruth Bushway of Charlestown; half brothers Gordon Bushway of Pittstown, New York, Everett Bushway and wife Amy of Waterford, New York; grandchildren, Kayla Bushway, Kamron Bushway, Gabryelle Bushway, Lukas Bushway; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at the Charlestown Memorial Chapel, 34 Main Street in Charlestown on Friday July 20 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care, 154 Hitchcock Loop Road, Lebanon, NH 03756; Springfield Health and Rehab, 105 Chester Road, Springfield, VT 05156; or the Springfield United Methodist Church, 10 Valley Street, Springfield, VT 05156.
Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com
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