William Weston Jr

Hancock, NH William Weston, Jr, 86, of Hancock died peacefully on January 7, 2015 at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough. He was born on August 8, 1928 in Unity, NH the oldest of nine children and the son of William Weston, Sr. and Esther (Wright) Weston. William grew up and lived his entire life in Hancock. He was a sheep farmer, known for his experience and expertise and would help, without reservation, anyone needing assistance with sheep and lambing. William judged sheep shows throughout New England and New York and was the superintendent of the Cheshire Fair Sheep Department for many years. He also assisted at the Hopkinton and Deerfield fairs. He was a member of the NH and New England Sheep and Wool Growers Associations, and helped start the NH Sheep and Wool Festival. He also founded the NH 4-H Market Lamb Show and Sale at the Hillsborough County Fair, and worked at the Eastern States Exposition with the 4-H Sheep Show and Open Market Lamb Class. In 2012 the NH Sheep and Wool Growers recognized him with a lifetime achievement award. In addition to sheep farming, William logged and sold gravel throughout the Hancock area. William attended Keene Teachers College, and served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1951 to 1953, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He worked at Granite State Feeds in Greenfield until in burned. He served as Selectman for the Town of Hancock from 1975 to 1981 and was always intently interested and attentive to the needs of the town. He loved hunting and baseball and was a member of the First Congregational Church of Hancock. William is survived by his three children, Ellena Weston and her husband Charles Zimmermann of Hancock, Merrilyn Patch of Keene and William Weston and his wife Christina of Rindge; his grandchildren, Victoria, Nicholas, Kimberly, Lillian and Madeline Zimmermann, Keith, David, Samantha and Jarrett Patch, Matthew and Brian Alejandro; and 9 great grandchildren. He will also be missed by his sisters, Helen Draper of Charlestown, Sarah Hutchins of Hancock, Marion Frazier of Munsonville, Mary Ellen Plumpton of Marlborough, Dorothy Murdough of Frederick, MD and Kathryn Moore of Fort McCoy, FL; as well as his cousin Norma Walker of Swanzey and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth (Merrill) Weston who died in 2005 and his siblings Forest Weston and Ruth Calkins. A memorial service will be held in the Spring and date will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in William's name to the NH 4-H Market Lamb Show and Sale c/o Jolee Chase, UNH Cooperative Extension, 329 Mast Road, Goffstown, NH 03045, or to the Hancock Historical Society, PO Box 138, Hancock, NH 03449.

---