William A. James
Bristol
William “Bill” James age 110 passed away on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at his home in Bristol, VT.
He was born in Lincoln, VT on York Hill on July 5, 1911. He was the second son of Vern and Rena James.
As a young child Bill started living with his grandfather William York and his step grandmother Emma. They lived on a small farm in West Lincoln and he went to the local one room schoolhouse. Often on Saturday nights he and a friend would walk to Bristol to catch a movie. In 1928, Bill got his first car which was a 1927 Pontiac.
In 1927 they got electricity installed on the farm and that led Bill to be very interested in and pursued a career in the electrical field. In 1936, Bill began working for Central Vermont Public Service (now GMP) part time. In 1938-1939 he helped rebuild the dam at Rocky Dale in Bristol, VT. May of 1940, Bill started working full time in Middlebury, VT for CVPS where he got to be a first class line worker. In 1955, bill became the district representative for the Bristol area which he held until his retirement in 1974.
In September of 1945 while at a barn dance in Monkton, VT, Bill met a girl there named Mabel Lucia who became the love of his life and they were married on that New Year’s Eve in Burlington, Vermont. They spent their honeymoon in Montreal, Canada. Together they raised four children, built their new home with the help of Bill’s dad and lived life to the fullest until Mabel passed away in July of 2009. Bill and Mabel were married for 63 years. They were able to celebrate their 50th and 63rd anniversary together.
Bill was a very active person and well known man. He was a past town selectman of Bristol, member of the Lincoln Church, vice president of the Green Mountain Seniors, a past member of the retired CVPS coffee club and the Bristol Old Farts group, member of the Bristol Rotary Club, Bristol Historical Society, a life time member of the Bristol Rescue Squad, and a member of the Masonic Lodge in town for 75 years.
Bill use to enjoy meeting up with his buddies at Snaps Restaurant in Bristol, always found time to visit his dear old late friends Sam McKennon and Hap Smith. He also had a wonderful friendship with his dear late friends George Smith who Bill missed after George passed away.
Bill’s favorite sports on television was watching Nascar car racing, wrestling and boxing.
He was well known for being in several television commercials for a car company, where his famous line was, “You nasty old used car salesman’, along with his funny devilish laugh.
Bill is survived by his step-son Jim Lucia (Linda) of Bristol, VT, daughter Susan Vermillion (Keith) of Otis Orchard, Washington, daughter Maureen James of Salisbury, VT and daughter Beverly Teer (John) of Monkton, VT. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Stacey (Emil) of South Carolina, Joelle (Frank) of Pennsylvania, Alex (Ashley) of Washington, Matt Lucia (Caitlin) of Burlington, VT and Melissa Lucia of North Carolina. He has three great grandchildren, Kathren, Spencer, and Maisy. Also four great great grandchildren. Along with several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Bill was predeceased by his wonderful wife Mabel, a brother Harry James, three half brothers, Clarence, Marshall and Herbert Parker, his grandson Michael Vermillion and his cat Buddy who was the best companion to Bill.
Bill and his family would like to thank everyone who helped to make his final years enjoyable, especially the wonderful nurses and staff at Addison County Home Health and Hospice, his good friend Wilma Hallock and all of his other close friends and family.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 30th at Bristol Federated Church with a burial following at Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol. (Masks will be required at service regardless of vaccination status.) In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753, or to the charity of your choice.
To send online condolences to his family or for those who can’t attend the funeral service can watch the video of the service which will be located on the bottom of the obit please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com
He will be so missed. Emil and Stacey Wilkowski
Dear Sue and all of the James, Lucia family…..We are so sorry to see your dad’s obituary, he certainly lived a long life. He was always so friendly and sweet. May you all take comfort in the fact that the whole Town of Bristol sends their love and admiration to each one of you. He will be sorely missed !!
Uncle Bill will be missed by all. He was a favorite of the Ralph James family and we miss hearing about him and watching his car videos. Rest in Peace, Uncle Bill.
My dad was a wonderful man, kind and loving all his life and I will miss him every day for the rest of my life