Sharon, Vt. —
He was born on Dec. 5, 1928, at the Rikert farmstead on Broad Brook Road in Sharon to Darrell Hall Rikert and Elizabeth Gladys (Mulford) Rikert.
Bill served his country during the Korean War as a Marine.
He was well skilled and self taught in many areas, working at several jobs and activities throughout his life. He was an avid gardener with a green thumb beyond compare, growing both vegetables and flowers, to amaze passersby.
Bill married his sweetheart, Jeanne Leavitt, on July 15, 1956, and lived for all their 61 years of marriage in the same house on Broad Brook Road where they provided and cared for their growing family.
Bill is survived by his sister, Barbara Rikert of Burlington, Vt. and his wife, Jeanne (Leavitt) Rikert of Sharon; his children include, Marilyn White and husband, Robert of Bethel, Vt.; Sharlene Dunne and husband, David of Richmond, Vt.; Michael Rikert of Sharon; Linda Bullard of East Templeton, Mass.; Steven Rikert and wife Nicole of White River Jct., Vt. and Teresa Gasbarro and husband, Joe of Berwick, Maine. Bill was also blessed with 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
There are no public calling hours. A memorial funeral service will be held, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Sharon Congregational Church in Sharon with Rev. Mark Pitton officiating.
Private burial will be at a later date in the Broad Brook Cemetery in Sharon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., 7th Fl., New York, NY 10014.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at wwwboardwayandcilley.com. The Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home, Chelsea, Vt. is in charge of arrangements.