Charles W. "Willard" Springfield, 87, of Derry, NH passed away Thursday May 10th, 2012, at Epsom Healthcare of Epsom after a lengthy illness. He was born May 1, 1925 in Rochester, NH and was a son of the late Eugene and Helen (Spaulding) Springfield. He was raised and educated in Rochester prior to relocating to Derry, where he attended Pinkerton Academy. Willard was resident of Derry for over 70 years.
Mr. Springfield served in the US Army during World War II, after which he returned to Derry where he worked on the family farm, raising chickens. He was Assistant Herdsman, and then herdsman at the Rockingham County Farm. Willard was a man who wore many "hats" over the course of his working life, doing backhoe work, installing septic systems and general contracting. He was a 20 year member of the East Derry Fire Department, working from a volunteer to Captain, Fire Ward. He was also an RFD mail carrier, and a former member of the East Derry Congregational Church Men’s Choir.
Willard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Geraldine (McKay) Springfield of Derry, a son and his wife, Randall and April Springfield of Hollis, a daughter and her husband, Joanne and Kevin Longley of Derry, 3 grandsons, Andrew Longley, Jeremy Springfield and Kent Springfield, a great granddaughter Belladonna Sophia, a sister, Marion Menter of Derry and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Doris Fickett, and a brother, George Springfield.
An hour of visitation was held on Saturday May 12, 2012 from 1 to 2pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St. Derry. A celebration of his life followed at 2pm in the funeral home. A private burial will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry.