Lebanon, N.H. —
Bill was born in Cambridge, Mass. on Oct. 12th 1929 to Lee Kennedy Breed and William J. Breed Sr. of Marblehead, Mass.
Graduating from Marblehead High School in 1947, Bill completed a postgraduate year at Phillips Andover Academy before enrolling as a freshman at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. in 1948. At Dartmouth, Bill was an officer at Theta Delta Chi, participated in many extra-curricular clubs, and earned his varsity letter in both lacrosse and hockey. He graduated in 1952 with an AB Degree in business and advertising psychology, and was a member of senior honor society.
A bright entrepreneurial spirit colored many of Bill’s adventures at Dartmouth, perhaps none more than the purchase of a school bus to haul him and his classmates to ski areas across the northeast. Though a paying enterprise, the bus was more than a business – it was driven by his love of sport and people, and was indicative of the way he would pursue his life going forward.
After graduation Bill married Judith Rogers in August of 1952 – a decision he would often refer to as the best of his life. Their 64-year marriage was one of deep and abiding love.
After the wedding, he enlisted in the US Army, serving as an instructor in the 5th division at the Indiantown Gap, Penn. leadership school. He spent 21 months in Korea as a battalion officer and saw action in North Korea. Bill served in the reserves until 1958.
After returning from the war, He worked at Simonds Saw and Steel in Fitchburg, Mass., Sylvania Lighting Division in Salem, Mass., Pocahontas Fuel Company in Salem, Mass. and then Booma-Breed, Inc. in Swampscott, Mass., where he worked alongside his father in the family business.
In 1970, he acquired the Johnson & Dix Fuel Corporation in Springfield, Vt. By the year 2000, Bill had sat across the table from over 58 small business owners, integrating them into Johnson & Dix ‘s operations. If Bill bought your business, you knew you would get a fair deal. His personal ethic made a difficult (and at times intimidating) decision process easy – a testament his social skills and integrity.
Johnson & Dix was sold to Irving Oil in 2009. In typical WJB style, the most rewarding part of the business transaction was getting to know Arthur Irving better and touring him around Dartmouth, even encouraging Mr. Irving’s daughter Sarah (class of 2010) to apply. Bill took each and every opportunity he could to save a young person from Harvard or Yale.
He served on the board of the Petroleum Marketing Association of America from 1992 – 1994. He was Chairman and President of the New England Fuel Institute, and served on many other boards as an officer in various other industry organizations. In 1998 Bill was honored as one of the “Legends of Oil Heat” by the New England Fuel Institute.
He was a Director of First Twin State Bank in White River Junction, Vt. from 1985 to 1989, and a Director of United Bank Corp of Rutland from 1987 to 1989. Bill was a founding Director and Vice-Chairman of Ledyard National Bank in 1991, serving in multiple capacities until 2005.
He served in many civic roles over the years. He was Vice-President of the Marblehead, Mass. YMCA, Trustee of the Salem Hospital, overseer of the Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, N.H., Trustee of the Montshire Museum, Norwich, Vt., Treasurer of the Friends of Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College, member of the Hanover, N.H. town finance committee from 1976 -1982, Chairman United Way of the Upper Valley 1979-1980, and President of Hanover, N.H. Rotary Club 1981-1982.
Bill was especially fond of David’s House in Hanover, N.H., a home away from home for families of children being treated at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHAD). He was President of, in his words, “a great group of folks that raised more than enough funds” for the building of a new home on the Dartmouth-Hitchcock campus.
He was actively involved in Dartmouth Alumni activities, including the Dartmouth Alumni Council 1986-1989, Head Agent Class of ‘52 from 1986-1989 and also President / board member of several other Dartmouth Clubs and organizations over the years. In the summer of 2016, Bill was recognized for his active involvement in his fraternity Theta Delta Chi (which he fondly referred to as the “Boom Boom Lodge”), where served in various advisory roles over the years.
Bill loved to ski on both snow and water. He was a sailor, biker (pedal), hiker, and an earnest – if somewhat overly eager – golfer (a duffed ball resulted in his sprinting off the tee with gusto, much to the amusement of all). He was a founding member of Baker Hill Golf course in New London as well as a member of the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club.
Bill and Judy went on many travel adventures with friends and family, enjoyed shows at the Barn Playhouse in New London, N.H., and avidly attended many cultural and sporting events at Dartmouth. Most of all, Bill appreciated people. He was the embodiment of a “people person”, a man who understood that companies, colleges and families were all made of individuals who needed to be appreciated and understood. His energy, integrity, and enthusiasm touched many lives. Those who knew him were better for it.
Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Judy, his children Debra, Penny, William and David, grandchildren Billy Jack, Kurtis, William, Sarah, Samuel, Ella and Astrid. His Brother George pre-deceased him.
The Breed family would like to extend a special thank you to Laurie Cuccinello of Sutton, N.H., who provided care and comfort for Bill and Judy over the years with dedication and grace – more than we could have hoped for.
Messages of condolence may be expressed with the family through an online guestbook by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.