William “Bill” Mace, of Ferrisburgh, passed away on Dec. 30, 2013, at his winter home in Florence, Ala. surrounded by his loving family and friends.
He was born in Ferrisburgh on June 2, 1930, the son of the late Herbert Seward and Calla Field Mace. He graduated from Vergennes High School and went on to McDonald College (McGill University), Montreal, Canada, and Birmingham Southern, Birmingham, Ala. He married Judith Graves, of Morrisville, Vt., and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer.
Bill had a profound love of family, railroading, traveling, the Montreal Expos (Season Ticket holder), the New York Giants, his adopted dogs, politics, landscaping, and Lake Champlain (a lifetime at Long Point, North Ferrisburgh). His great love for boating was fully enjoyed as both owner and operator of the Ferrisburgh Marina for several years. He retired after 40 years of service as post master in Ferrisburgh, Vt. He was active in the buying and selling of real estate, the Vermont Historical Railway Society (Rutland R.R.), the Ferrisburgh Methodist Church, the Vergennes Rotary, the Masonic Lodge, Ferrisurgh Cub Scouts, and one of the main instigators of the Ferrisburgh Fire District No. 1 water system.
Bill was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Alyson; and brother, Sam.
He is survived by his sons, William Russell Mace (Kathryn), North Ferrisburgh, and John Thomas Mace (the late Suzanne), Florence, Ala.; Indonesian daughter, Joice Pangalila-Bell (Darrell), Redlands, Calif.; grandchildren, Alyson and Andrew Mace, Florence, Ala.; and sister, Martha Davis, Middlebury, Vt.
Bill gave generously of his time and resources to the community and his family and always put the needs of others ahead of his own.
In keeping with Bill’s requests, there will be a private family memorial this summer in Vermont.
His family would like to extend a very special thank you to Home Health (Nancy and Andrea), Hospice of the Shoals, Doctors Timothy Bicknell and Joseph Winget, and to his private caregivers, Christina and Rhonda.
They ask that donations, in his honor, may be given to Homeward Bound Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman Street, Middlebury, Vermont, 05753.
Elkins Funeral Home, Florence, is assisting the family.
