William E. Widmer

After experiencing some of the hottest April temperatures in recorded history, William (“Bill”) E. Widmer, 68, of Amherst, NH, decided it was too damn hot and passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center on April 14th, 2023.

From a young age, Bill was passionate about the arts. An avid photographer, Bill spent much of the 1960’s in upstate New York mastering the first-ever ‘selfie’; impressive considering selfie-sticks had yet to be invented. A social influencer ahead of his time…

Unable to achieve international stardom via this route, Bill elected to attend St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, showing great promise as a writer and theologian. Bill briefly considered a life in seminary before deciding he liked beer too much. Humor became his passion, so he helped found the University’s first humor magazine, The Laurel Humor Magazine.

After graduating, Bill spent time hitch-hiking around Ireland and writing. His two novels from this period were unfortunately never published, due largely to the ‘Great Tree Drought’ of the time, as Bill would tell it. He so enjoyed this life of ‘aimless wanderer’ that he decided to make a career of it in middle management. He returned to attend the University of Massachusetts, earning an MSBA in Marketing before starting a 35-year career with BAE Systems.

Bill was also an aspiring hoarder. In addition to the many life-long friends he collected from his time at University and at BAE Systems, Bill also leaves behind a vast wardrobe of clothes dating back to the 70’s, including flannels, jeans, and socks that have arguably more ‘hole’ to them than they do sock.

After retirement Bill became very particular about his health. His diet, crafted carefully around Fosters beer and Fudgsicles, kept his body primed to take in the next episode of The Simpsons from his recliner. He was a proponent of Yoga, Chi-gong, meditation, and any other activities that resembled napping.

Throughout his life Bill had a fondness for trees, which shared his stationary approach to movement. Bill loved to pick apples from Currier Orchard, pilfer lilac blossoms from the neighbors’ hedges, and plant American Chestnut trees. Bill served as treasurer for the Amherst Conservation Commission, and was passionate about conserving old-growth forest and planting new trees around Amherst.

Bill is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joan (“Cathy”) Widmer, and their sons, Christopher and his wife Lauren, and Gregory and his wife Michelle, his five grandsons, Eli, Caleb, Davin, Luke, and Cameron; and a brother, Mark and his wife Tami. Tragically, Bill’s sons inherited his tendency of thinking they are far funnier than they actually are, and as part of his last will, Bill requested his sons write an obituary in a style Monty Python would approve.

Bill was slow to anger, quick with a quip, and a dear friend. To the end, Bill knew that God was driving. He was well loved and is sorely missed.

Visiting hours are on Monday, April 24th from 4-7pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 25th at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054 or Amherst Conservation Commission, 2 Main Street, Amherst, NH 03031