BARRE - William Robert Sancibrian, 83, passed away on September 20, 2026, at Woodridge Nursing home after a long battle with Parkinson’s and a short one with pancreatic cancer.

Known to friends and family as Bill or Billy, he was born on June 1, 1943, to Frank ‘Paco’ and Frances (Baldwin) Sancibrian. He attended Ward 5 and North Barre Elementary Schools and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1961.

Bill was an accomplished athlete, becoming one of the best Little League and High School baseball pitchers in the state. He was a member of the 1961 Class L State Championship Basketball team and was selected to represent Vermont as a member of the 1961 Shrine Football Team. He carried his love and talent for baseball to Darmstadt, Germany, where he played while serving in the United States Army. Bill was so successful there, the Army asked him to stay and continue playing, an offer he turned down to return home and start a family.

On August 19, 1967, he married his wife of 59 years, Sheryl Speir of Hardwick, VT. Bill and Sheryl made their home in Barre, VT., where they resided until Bill’s passing.

He drove a truck for Coca-Cola for a short time before turning the artistic talents inherited from his dad into a career, becoming a draftsman and working in the Barre Granite Industry until his retirement. Bill spent time as a self-employed draftsman, also working at Rouleau Granite, Culture Craft and Rock of Ages. Bill was a prolific artist, known in the Barre area as one of the best hand draftsmen around. He drafted designs for the headstones seen in local cemeteries as well as larger monuments, some of which made their way to Washington, D.C.

Bill’s love of sports carried into his adult life, where he played men’s league softball well into his forties. A fiercely competitive athlete, the teams he played for won multiple state championships and forged lifelong friendships he and his family continue to cherish today. In addition to softball, Bill bowled, played racquetball and golf, loved watching most any sporting event on TV, especially one of his Detroit teams, and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He shared his love of sports with his children as a coach and a fan. His dedication, work ethic and drive to succeed creating a second and third generation of competitive athletes. Later in life, his greatest joy was watching his grandchildren participate in whatever sport was in season, spending many weekends traveling around VT and New England to countless hockey rinks, and later, watching games online.

Bill was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, a guiding light for his family. Of all the gifts Bill shared with those he loved, his mischievous side, his sly grin, silly pranks, jokes and stories, and booming, infectious laugh, are what will be cherished and missed the most.

He leaves his wife Sheryl and daughter Julie of Barre, VT., his daughter Deborah Smith and husband Grant of Hampton, New Hampshire, his son Marc and wife Nicole Sancibrian of East Montpelier, VT., his grandchildren Julie Frietas, Cody Smith, Billy Sancibrian and Wyatt Sancibrian. Also surviving are Bill’s brothers Richard and Lona Sancibrian and Alan and Sherry Sancibrian and his sister Theresa and Steve Webster, along with many loving nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Frances Sancibrian, and brothers baby Wallace, Frank and Joe Sancibrian.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026, at 11:00 at the Barre Elk’s Club. A burial with military honors will be held at Berlin Cemetery in Berlin, VT. at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Resident’s Activities Fund at Woodridge Nursing Home, 142 Woodridge Drive, Berlin, VT. 05602 or the Barre Youth Sports Association (BYSA), PO Box 821, Barre, VT, 05641 or via Venmo to @BYSA02.