William D. Elliott   10/10/1947 – 5/22/2024

A realist, a dreamer, an honest, caring, ethical, and well-respected man,

William David Elliott was born on October 10, 1947. He spent his childhood

and early adolescent years in Cambridge, NY and was a 1965 graduate of

Cambridge Central School. He joined the Navy in 1969, actively serving until

1973.

When he returned to Cambridge, he reunited with classmate Linda Morache

and the two began dating. Bill was driven, motivated and generous and

Linda is sweet, caring and inspiring. The two were married 52 years, and

have two children together; Matthew and Ross.

The family settled in Bennington, VT, where Bill began his impressive

banking career. His list of achievements in the professional world became

many. Adirondack Community College, American Institute of Banking,

National Commercial Lending School (University of Oklahoma), Stonier

Graduate School of Banking, (Rutgers) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business

Administration from Hawthorne College in Antrim, NH. They later relocated to

Keene, NH where Bill became the Executive Vice President of Commercial

Lending at Granite Bank.

He was a pillar of the community, serving on a multitude of boards, and

faithfully supported community programs. Kind, generous and witty, he and

Linda made lifelong friends in the Keene area. After Bill retired in 2003, he

and Linda drove across the country, visiting the lower 48 states. They

cruised through Hawaii and Alaska, and then it was onto Europe, Ireland,

Portugal, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain and finally, New Zealand. They

traveled with college friends, planning trips each year until 2017. They spent

winters in Florida, and summers in Harrisville, NH.

Most of all, Bill loved his family. His sons will carry on his legacy, both of

whom are successful, charismatic and forever grateful for the wisdom he

impressed upon them.        “You’re never wrong if you do the right thing.” Words

that hang on the bedroom wall of his first grandson. He was proud of his

children, and lovingly embraced their wives, GiGi and Shannon, who

affectionately referred to him as Dad. The four would look to Bill for advice,

could call him on a whim, and loved being in his company. Patriots’ games,

movies, chicken wings, breakfast at the Diner, trips to the Everglades,

Tampa Bay Buccaneers games, fishing trips, dinner out, beach trips, family

vacations; if you planned it, or mentioned it, Bill would make it happen.

Bill loved being a grandfather. Papa played cars on the floor, affectionately

naming each matchbox, watched his grandsons take their first steps, and

was excited when they came to visit. He had dreams of taking them fishing,

traveling, and being an intimate part of all the joy that boyhood brings.​

Outside his family, he spent every fall and spring hunting and fishing in

upstate NY with Tom Severson, a friendship that lasted more than 65 years.

He played tennis, horseshoes, a smidge of golf, and was an enthusiastic

extrovert who held his friendships dear.

Bill, Willy, Dad or Papa, a man who had his own meaning to each of us,

passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024. He leaves behind his wife, Linda,

his son; Ross, and wife GiGi, his son Matthew, and his wife Shannon and their

two children, Chase and Tanner. He also leaves behind his brother, Ron

Elliott, sister Sandra Ward, and her husband Tony Ward. He is predeceased

by his brother Robert Elliott.

Memorial Contributions can be made to The Compassus Living Foundation,

who faithfully cared for Bill during the last few months of his life and Tunnel

to Towers, helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage free homes.

There will be no calling hours, and a Celebration of Life will be planned later

in the year.

https://compassuslivingfoundation.org