William “Bill” Lasher, cherished father of Anne Lasher Payne, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at UNC Hospitals. His beloved daughter Anne and dear family friend Pranitha were at his side. His heart never recovered from the death of his soulmate, Jean, in 2023, and he longed every day to once again be with her.

Bill was born in Vergennes, VT, on November 26, 1937, to the late Clinton Lasher and Marie Houle. He was raised by his grandparents Frederick and Mae (Vanderhoof) Lasher. Bill graduated from Vergennes High School in 1958, and began a career as an aircraft parts technician at Goodrich. He was a trusted employee who worked on the stealth bomber and other sensitive projects and remained with the company until his retirement. Bill married the love of
his life, Jean Dempsey, on August 10, 1963, and they celebrated 60 years of marriage last year.

His passion in life was his family, especially his daughter, Anne, who was his pride and joy and remained daddy’s little girl until the end. His grandson and namesake, Will, of Creedmoor, NC, was the apple of his eye. He was so proud of Will, and the two loved spending time together telling jokes. Each Christmas they would enjoy putting up lights and decorating the tree together.

Bill had spent time living in North Carolina for parts of the past six years, receiving medical care for himself and Jean. He was appreciative of the relationship he had cultivated with his son-in-law Arthur, who supported him during the last two months of his life while he received treatments at UNC.

Bill’s faith was extremely important to him, and he was a member of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes, VT, and Saint Bernadette’s Catholic Church in Butner, NC. Bill was an extremely proud member of the Knights of Columbus. He remained an active member to the Knights in both Vermont and North Carolina and valued the support and prayers of his brother knights.

Bill had a larger-than-life personality and was a kind and thoughtful soul, with a wonderful sense of humor. He was quick with a joke and loved to make people laugh. Bill never met a stranger; he loved to talk to everyone. One of his favorite pastimes was to dress up for all the holidays and bring joy to those around him. He even had a leprechaun costume made and would celebrate every Saint Patrick’s Day and the Irish Festival each July in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Anne; grandson, Will; dog, Kara; and son-in-law Arthur Payne. He will be greatly missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him, especially his close friends Mary Kay and Maurice Lussier, Erin and Greg Tosi, Jay and Pranitha Ramlakan, Fr. Yvon Royer, and Tom Saltus. He will be remembered by all of the family he leaves behind, including his cherished brothers- and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Bill had recently participated in a grief support group and was so grateful for the love and support he found within that group, as well as the support he received from his neighbors through the years. In addition to his parents, grandparents, and beloved wife Jean, Bill was preceded in death by his aunt Marion Dempsey.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes on Wednesday, June 5, at 10:30 a.m. Private interment will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the Parish Hall following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made directly to either:
St. Peters Catholic Church, 85 S Maple Street, Vergennes, VT 05491 (802) 877-2367
St. Bernadette Catholic Church 804 West D Street Butner, NC 27509 (919) 575-4537