Obituary of William S Vannett

William S. Vannett, a man who lived and loved life to the fullest, passed away as a result of an ATV accident on Friday afternoon, August 9, 2019.  Bill was the beloved husband of Kim (Arsenault) and he had just celebrated his 56^th birthday on August 4^th.  Bill was born in Salem, MA and raised in Peabody.  Bill was a graduate of Veterans Memorial High School in Peabody.  After graduation from High School Bill went to college in Hawaii.  Going to college in Hawaii was a dream come true and he loved his two years on the Island.  After returning home he began a long and successful career as a Wire Technician.

Bill was a devoted and proud father to his two children Laura and Scott.  He was a hands-on dad and was there for them during all their activities as children.  He shared his love of baseball with them and took Laura and Scott on trips to New York visiting both Yankee Stadium and Mets Stadium.  Tragedy struck Bill and his family when his beloved daughter Laura passed away from a car accident in 2010.  A day never went by without Bill missing his beloved Laura.  He was incredibly proud to see his son Scott attend Norwich University in Vermont, which is the oldest private military college in the United States.  

Bill met his wife Kim 13 years ago and they had a wonderful and fun life together.  They were more than just husband and wife, they were the best of friends.  They shared all the same interests and enjoyments in life.  They travelled extensively visiting such destinations as Hawaii, Washington State, Yosemite National Park, Bar Harbor Maine and drove the entire coast of California.  They also visited several Major League baseball stadiums including T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Tropicana Field in Tampa and Camden Yards in Baltimore.  

Bill was an outdoorsman.  He enjoyed skiing, a sport he had in common with his dad.  Bill was an avid and experienced ATV trail rider, a passion he shared with his wife Kim. They visited trails throughout New England enjoying and experiencing the beauty of the trees, scenery and wildlife on the trails.  Bill and Kim’s home was in Middleboro and some of their best times were spent exploring the trails right in their own back yard as well as kayaking on the Taunton River.

Bill was known for his giving nature.  He would literally “give the shirt off his back to a stranger”.  When he was working in Boston he saw a homeless man who needed clothing.  The next day he returned and gave the man a bag of clothing from his own closet and didn’t he return the following day to see the man wearing one of his sweaters.  That was just the type of man Bill was, always looking out for others.  

Bill will be remembered as a kind and funny man with quick wit.  His sudden and tragic death is difficult to accept and leaves his family devastated.  His memory will live on in the hearts of his wife Kim, son Scott and all his family and friends forever.

Bill was the beloved husband and best friend of Kim (Arsenault).  He was the loving and proud father of Scott D. of Bourne and the late Laura C.  Loving son of the late Florence Vannett and the late David Vannett & his wife Dee.  Brother of Arleen Harvey & her husband Jon of CA, Kirk & his wife Donna of Peabody, Allen & his longtime companion Marlene Kennedy of Salem, and the late Douglas.  Son-in-law of Al and Joan Arsenault of Burlington.  Brother-in-law of Robert Arsenault of Peabody, Mark Arsenault and Kellie Fallon & her husband Tom all of Burlington.  Bill is also survived by many nieces, nephews & friends.  Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 4-7:30 p.m. Concluding with Funeral Services at 7:30 p.m.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Bill’s name may be made to Make a Wish Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, One Bulfinch Place, 2^nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114 www. massri.wish.org