William R. Fors

HILLSBORO, NH/ Townsend, MA: Bill died early Friday morning, November 19, 2021, at 82 years of age after a month-long, valiant battle with COVID-19. He died peacefully with his family by his side and in his heart. He was born in Fitchburg, MA to the late William R. Fors, Sr, and Irene (Salmi) Fors. Bill was the true embodiment of the Finnish concept of SISU, translated as courage, resolve and perseverance. In his final hours he told us over and over that he was not sad and that his life had been rewarding. Whenever he faced an obstacle or setback in his life, he always regrouped, doubled down and came back stronger. Billy grew up in Ashby and Townsend, spending much of his early years helping out on his parents chicken and apple farm on South Row Rd, and hunting, fishing and raising hell with his best friend, and later brother in law Bob Stone. After graduating from Spaulding High School in 1957, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served at RADAR stations in Neah Bay, Washington and Pagua River, Ontario, where he further expanded his list of outdoor adventures in two beautiful settings. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Townsend, married Ruth Lemay and had three children, working as a machinist for GE and Niemi, before being hired by Raytheon. While at Raytheon he attended night school at Fitchburg State College, earning his engineering degree while restoring an old house in Lunenburg. Bill and Ruth divorced in 1976, in later years becoming friends again. After a couple of years, he left Raytheon for Velan Valve in Williston, VT, where he was invited into “the camp” in Errol, NH. After a few years at Velan and a series of misadventures he returned to Townsend and Raytheon, marrying his childhood friend Linda (Owen) Brown in 1985. Bill and Linda embarked upon a 36 year marriage filled with trips and adventures to Alaska, Hawaii, Finland, Europe, Maine and Florida. Bill retired from Raytheon in 1994, working for a time at the Townsend Cemetery with none other than his lifelong best friend Bob Stone. He spent his retirement years hunting, fishing, reading, traveling, making cider, growing his Christmas trees, working on his gardens, watching the Red Sox and watching the Patriots. In 2000, Bill and Linda moved to the shores of Loon Pond in Hillsborough, NH, where he would live for the rest of his life. Bill leaves behind his wife Linda of Hillsborough, his brother Jack and wife Sue Fors of Leominster, MA, daughter Lynn, her husband Lalo and his grandson Danny of Lexington, KY, son Chris, his wife Rebecca and his grandchildren Andy and Sophie of Bethel, VT, daughter Lea of Keene, NH, and step-son Donald Brown of AR. He also leaves adult grandsons Will Gagnon of Greer, SC, Jack Gagnon of Keene, NH, Danielle Leclair, husband Kyle and three great grandsons of Hollis, NH, and Brandon Brown, wife Meagan and a great grandson of Merrimac, NH. He also leaves behind many beloved cousins, including Anne Hendrickson who was more like a sister to him. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased a stepson, Mark O. Brown. He will also be forever missed by the guys at camp in Errol, NH. We will forever miss his timeless and hilarious stories of growing up in a once rural Townsend, whether it was accidentally collapsing Aino Axilla's chicken manure bagging operation, the great John Pope haying debacle, or taking apart Grampy’s tractor and losing a few parts by accident, among so many others. Rest easy Bill, we will take the SISU torch from here! Calling hours will be 4-7 pm Friday, November 26, 2021 at Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main St (Route 119) Townsend Center. A service will follow at 11 am on Saturday, November 27th in the Funeral Home. Burial at Hillside Cemetery in Townsend will be at a later date at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill's name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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William R. Fors

March 30, 1939 - November 19, 2021