Walter E. Lacillade

WILLIAMSTOWN – Walter Edward Lacillade, 94, life-time resident, long-time businessman and contributor to his town, died Monday, September 18, 2017 at Mansfield Place in Essex Jct.

Born July 9, 1923 in Barre City, he was the son of L. James and Sigrid (Rudman) Lacillade.

Attending Williamstown schools, he graduated from Williamstown High School in 1941. Following his graduation, he became a full-time employee at the Lacillade Lumber Company, which was founded by his father, in Williamstown.

In March of 1943, he began service with the United States Army during World War II and later attended the Infantry Officers School at Fort Benning, Georgia, receiving his discharge in 1946. He then became an Army Reservist and was discharged with the rank of Major in 1963.

In April of 1946 he rejoined the staff at Lacillade Lumber Company where he served until December of 1988, retiring as President and Treasurer.

On June 5, 1947, he married Muriel McWilliams in Paso Robles, CA. They made their home on Meadow Street in Williamstown until her death in July of 1993.

Walter later married Dorothy Peake Menard on December 10, 1994, making their home on Chelsea Road, also in Williamstown. Dorothy died November 22, 2015 at Mayo Health Care in Northfield.

His memberships included the Williamstown United Federated Church, the Reserve Army Officers Club since 1963, and was a life member of the Barre American Legion Post #10, Barre Elks Lodge #1535 and the Barre Canadian Club. In 1990, he was voted Lumberperson of the Year by his peers in the Vermont Retail Lumberman’s Association.

Contributing much to the town of Williamstown, he had been a trustee of public funds since 1958, 16 years with the Williamstown Fire Department and for many years was a member of the Prudential Committee.

Survivors include his son James H. Lacillade of Essex Jct; three grandchildren Morgan Lacillade of Bristol, VT, Jason and Joshua Lacillade of Paso Robles, CA; his sister Jean Jangraw of Topsham, ME as well as stepchildren Susan Menard, Diane Thurston, and Raymond and Michael Menard and their families.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son John Lacillade, his brother Harvey Lacillade and sister Ruth Lacillade Trottier.

Family and friends will honor and celebrate this special man’s life on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Williamstown United Federated Church.

Inurnment will be made in the family lot in the Williamstown Village Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.