If you needed to get somewhere you called Bill Legare. Sure you called him for a ride. But when you really needed to get somewhere or get through something, anything, Bill Legare was the guy to call. With his trademark calm and cool approach to life, his firmly grounded faith and his ever-ready “ Big Teddy Bear Smile”, Bill could help anyone in need to see their way through any troubles that come with the ups and downs of life. And he did just that, to countless people using his quiet and unassuming manner. Bill would be the first to say, anything he did, he did with the help of the Good Lord, or as Bill would no doubt say, “The Man Upstairs”, that’s just the way Bill was. When “Mr. Bill” was helping someone he was on a mission from God.
William R. “Bill” Legare, 77, of Millville died peacefully Friday July 18, 2025 at home surrounded by the unfailing love and support of his family.
Bill was the loving husband of the late Judith A. “Judy” (Coppinger) Legare. Bill and Judy became part of each other’s lives in 1970, were married on September 18, 1976 and shared over 52 years mutually devoted to each other until Judy passed away on August 24, 2022. Bill and Judy and their family made their home in Millville for the past 50 years.
Born in Woonsocket he was a son of the late Lucien Legare and Pauline (Gignac) Legare. Bill grew up in Woonsocket during his early years. Due to his dad being in the United States military service Bill also spent his formative years in Louisiana where he graduated from South Cameron High School. Bill went on to earn his degree from Rhode Island College.
Bill taught English at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket for several years.
Together Bill and Judy purchased the existing Standard Cab Company in Woonsocket as part of the newly created Valley Transportation Corporation on December 12, 1979. Bill and Judy and their family worked diligently for many years to make Valley Transportation a truly community-based company and prominent area business that people in the greater Northern Rhode Island area have come to rely and depend upon. Bill would readily admit that Judy was the “Nerve Center” of the operation, while Judy would say that it was always a team effort. Bill’s response, with his uncanny self-deprecating way, would be to say that Judy was the team captain, while he was just the water boy.
Outside of work Bill’s life focused on faith and family. Bill was a longtime communicant and active parishioner at St. Augustine Parish in Millville and in recent years was supportive of Divine Mercy Parish at St. Paul’s Church in Blackstone. Bill was a committed member of the Fr. Marot CYO Center of Northern Rhode Island where he served on the Board of Directors and gave of himself in countless ways and volunteer hours in furthering the mission and vision of the late Rev. Roger Marot in bringing the Catholic faith to the youth of the area and beyond.
Bill was a family man to the core as the Legare home in Millville was the hub of all family activities, parties and get together for the kids and their friends. Away from Millville Bill and Judy's refuge and retreat was their little cabin, their “home away from home” on Pattee’s Pond in Winslow, Maine. Bill cherished time spent taking the kids to Alagash. Bill was the “King of the Snow” as he buzzed along the trails while traversing the woods of northern New England on his snowmobile. Bill and Judy enjoyed a number of trips and the memories they made with each other.
Bill will be remembered for his strong work ethic and gentle nature. Bill was so many things to so many people but anyone who knew him would say that Bill was a man of strong faith, deep love of family and concrete commitment to the community and organizations that were the foundations of his life.
Bill is survived by his children Donald Blanchette and his companion Pam Mason of Millville, David Blanchette and his companion Michelle Merrill of Millville, Andrew Legare and his wife Kory of Pascoag, Marjorie Blanchette of Millville and Kathleen Legare of Blackstone. Bill is also survived by his 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren (soon to be 7!). Bill is survived by Judy’s family James and John Coppinger, Clara Morin, Loretta Dalpe, Priscilla Sabatino and the late Robert "Brother" Coppinger and late Darlene Coppinger and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Everyone is welcome to gather to honor, remember and pray for Bill at his funeral Wednesday July 23, 2025 at 9:30 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am in Divine Mercy Parish at St. Paul’s Church 48 St. Paul St. Blackstone. Bill will be laid to rest alongside his beloved Judy at St. Charles Cemetery on Farm St. in Blackstone. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 4:00-7:00pm.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis TN 33105 or www.stjude.org.
www.menardfuneralhome.com