Piermont, NH- William Chester Bill French, 68, a lifelong Piermont resident, died at his home on October 29, 2014. Bill was born in Orford, NH on August 2, 1946, to Chester L. and Caroline (Batchelder) French. He attended schools in Piermont and graduated from Bradford Academy. Following graduation he served in the US Army. He continued his service to our country as a member of the VT Army National Guard, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. For nineteen years, he worked as a carpenter for Pat Dixon in West Fairlee, VT. He also did maintenance work at the Oliverian School in Pike, NH. Bill was passionate about the outdoors and outdoor activities such as skiing, hunting, fishing, hiking and windsurfing. He trained bird dogs for hunting. He enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends. He is survived by his mother, Caroline French of Lyndonville, VT; a daughter, Carmen Gross and husband Daniel of East Corinth, VT; four grandchildren, Brittany Gross, Mason Gross, Casey Gross, and Makana Gross; and a brother, Ernest French of Indiana. In keeping with Bill s wishes, there are no public services being planned. Memorial contributions may be made to the Melanoma Foundation of New England, 111 Old Road to Nine Acre Center, Suite 1005, Concord, MA 01742 or to the National Wildlife Federation at www.nwf.org