It
is with great sadness that the family of William “Bill” Edgar
Gonyeau Jr. of South Burlington, Vt., announces his peaceful passing
on March 10, 2025, at the age of 91. Born on March 15, 1933, Bill was
the only child of William Edgar Gonyeau Sr. and Sarah May (Blow)
Gilfillan, both of Burlington, Vt.
Bill
was first in his family to graduate high school and did so at
Burlington High, class of 1951 — where he met and won the heart of
his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Jane “Jackie” (Charron)
Gonyeau. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force just 10 days after
graduation, on June 25, 1951, as airman first class. By March 1953 he
held “Secret”-level security clearance as documented on a 1960
military questionnaire that his wife saved. Bill received a Korean
Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal and a National Defense
Service Medal. He supported NASA, General Dynamics and Convair,
leaving his mark in many places around the U.S. Jackie and Bill were
married on December 26, 1953, in St. Joseph Cathedral in Burlington.
They spent the following few years traveling the country while Bill
was deployed and started their family.
Upon
return to Vermont, Bill embarked on many endeavors. He
co-owned/operated V&B Carpet and Wall Maintenance for several
years, partnered with good friends. He took up work with his
brother-in-law, Armand Rosetti, as a salesman at Toyota Northern Lift
Trucks until he retired, and of course Bill and Jackie opened the
Senorita Taco Stand at the Champlain Valley Fair, which they operated
with their friends and family for 25 summers.
Along
with being a loving husband to Jackie, Bill was a proud patriarch to
his family. He is predeceased by Jackie and their daughter Lisa Marie
(Gonyeau) Lyman and leaves behind his children Michelle Denise and
Lance and Karen Gonyeau; his grandchildren and their spouses, Jessica
and Tim Gerry, Robert-James Camera, Roxanne and Andrew Garland,
Sarah-Mae Gonyeau and Alyssa Kay Lyman; his six great-grandchildren,
Kaydn, Carter, Aliah, Lillee Bean, Brayden and Miles; and many
beloved nieces and nephews.
We
will remember his passion for hunting, fishing, lite beer and John
Wayne western movies, and for his tales of old, his charming wit and
his loyal love for his sweetheart, Jacqueline Jane.