William E. Gilwee

BARRE - William Edward Gilwee, Jr., 86, whose lifelong passion for sports was shared with and cherished by his family, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

Bill’s nickname was See See. He was born On June 29, 1939, in St. Albans, the son of William Edward and Constance Elizabeth Gilwee. At an early age, Bill’s passion for sports began. He graduated from St. Mary’s in 1957, then went on to Lyndon Teachers College. There he played baseball and basketball under coach Lenny Drew.

From 1959 to 1961, he served in the Army and spent time in Hanau, Germany.

On October 19, 1963, he married the love of his life, Lynda Newcombe, at St. Mary’s Church in St. Albans. They moved to Barre two years later and made it their home for over 60 years.

Over the years, Bill worked in a variety of occupations including bartender, manager of the A. Brown Auto and Home Store in Barre, manager of Grants in Barre, owner of the Handy Stop Convenience Store and later with the State of Vermont Motor Vehicles Department.

Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed sports, either as a participant or observer. Of great pleasure to him was watching his sons and later his grandchildren participate in sporting activities, especially basketball.

Survivors include his three sons Bryan Edward Gilwee (Vicki), John Scott Gilwee (Jennifer), and Todd William Gilwee (Wendy); his six grandchildren Matthew Gilwee (fiancé Kendall Henderson), Owen Gilwee (fiancé Sian Titmuss), Cameron Gilwee (husband Denver Heath), Aidan Gilwee, Meghan Gilwee, and Catherine Gilwee; his brother-in-law, David Emery Newcombe (partner David Chawk), and his sister-in-law, Bette Gilwee as well as nieces and nephews Karen Goodrich, Karen Bath, Douglas Newcombe, Elizabeth Brown, and Adam Brown.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lynda, on March 25, 2024, his brother John Francis Gilwee and his brother-in-law Douglas Howard Newcombe, Jr.

The Mass of Christian Burial to honor and celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Monica Catholic Church, 79 Summer Street, Barre. There are no calling hours.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to Barre Youth Sports Association – Basketball, PO Box 821, Barre, VT 05641.