William "Bill" Abbott

William “Bill” Abbott, 86, of Hudson, NH passed away following a brief illness on January 27, 2024. He was born on October 23, 1937 in Nashua, NH, the eldest son of William and Lena Abbott. Bill grew up in Wilton, NH attending public schools up through his graduation from high school. He was a good athlete, excelling in baseball and basketball. Bill attended the University of New Hampshire in Durham, graduating in 1959. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. During his time at UNH, Bill completed the ROTC program and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. Shortly after graduating, Bill began his Air Force service, stationed in Red Bluff, CA. It was also during this time that he married his first wife, Sandra (Sheetz) Abbott, whom he’d met while they were both students at UNH. Bill and Sandra went on to have two children together, a daughter, Pam and a son, Jeff. After his time in the military, Bill moved his family back to New Hampshire where they settled in Nashua. He began a civilian career as an electrical engineer. He was employed by a variety of companies including the family business, Abbott Machine Company, as well as Sanders and Kollsman. For many years, he also taught college courses at Nashua Community College. Bill also received a Master’s Degree from Northeastern University during this time in his life. It was during his time at Kollsman that Bill met his second wife, Diana (Hodge) Abbott. Bill and Diana had caught one another’s eye several times in the office, but it was not until they started taking walks together at lunch that their interest in one another truly blossomed. Walks turned into dates, which became a courtship that lasted nearly 10 years before they married in 1991. Diana came with a son from her first marriage, Chris, who Bill always treated like his own. It was Chris who finally encouraged Bill to pop the question when he asked, “Aren’t you two ever going to get married?” A beautiful marriage began, which lasted for the last 32 years of Bill’s life. Bill and Diana enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad, especially their trips to Woods Hole, MA and Nantucket, MA. They enjoyed daily walks together, bicycling, and entertaining family at their home. Bill and Diana were the love of each other’s lives and theirs was a truly special bond. Bill was a devoted father to his children, Pam and Jeff. He was recently asked what he was most proud of about his life, and without hesitation he said it was his children. He described Pam as a delightful, moral and intelligent woman, and Jeff as intensely loyal. Bill taught his children a great number of lessons throughout their lives, which they hold dear as wonderful memories. Bill was thrilled when he became a grandfather for the first time in 1986. He would go on to have a total of six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was “Grandpa” to Jonathan, Joshua, and Jennifer and “Peepaw” to Reese, Hayden and Gigi. He relished this role, having a seemingly endless supply of energy to keep up with the kids. Bill was a man of many hobbies, passions and interests. He enjoyed shooting, bicycling, kayaking, skiing and playing tennis. He was an avid reader. He was a “tinkerer” by nature, always working on a project around the house. In recent years, he’d also developed an interest in ham radio. Bill was very proud of having become a private aircraft pilot, something he enjoyed for over 50 years. He was also a certified flight instructor. Bill was passionate about physical fitness throughout his life. He was a fixture about town, taking his daily three-mile walks where he would engage in friendly conversation with his neighbors. He was known as a gentleman by all, always willing to lend a helping hand to family, friends, and neighbors alike. Bill was predeceased by his parents, William Abbott and Lena (Wilder) Abbott, and by his brother, David Abbott. He is survived by his wife, Diana Abbott of Hudson, NH; His brother, John Abbott of Travelers Rest, SC; His daughter, Pamela (Abbott) Lamontagne and her husband, Marc Lamontagne of Deerfield, NH; His son, Jeffrey Abbott of Wilton, NH; and his stepson, Christopher Hodge and his wife, Ashlee Hodge of Chatham, NJ. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jonathan Lamontagne and his wife, Katelyn; Joshua Lamontagne and his wife, Jessica; Jennifer (Lamontagne) Kirwin and her husband, Michael; Reese Hodge; Hayden Hodge; and Georgia “Gigi” Hodge. He was also survived by two great grandchildren, Elliot Lamontagne and Vera Lamontagne, as well as several other close extended family members. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, February 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Ferry St, Hudson, NH. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in William’s memory may be made to The American Heart Association (300 5th Ave, Ste 6, Waltham, MA 02451; TIN 13-5613797) or online at www.heart.org

William "Bill" Abbott

October 23, 1937 - January 27, 2024