Obituary: Bill LeConte Haddock, 1940-2024

Bill
Haddock passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and dear
friends, on June 5, 2024. Although the last five years were filled
with the many challenges that Alzheimer’s disease brings, Bill held
on to his sense of humor and would often bring a smile to people’s
faces. He would still delight at watching children play, much as he
had when his sons, Haynes, Luke and Matt, were kids. The
quintessential extrovert, he would happily join a conversation in his
own unique, warm style. Music was a great passion, and he continued
to sing, whether it was with the Richmond, Vt., senior group, a
special dementia singing gathering, or with family and friends. His
beautiful voice was even able to belt out “You Are My Sunshine”
until close to the end. He truly found his home in Richmond and
continued to enjoy walks on his beloved Snipe Ireland Road, often
accompanied by friends and his loyal dog Luna.

Born
in Charleston, S.C., Bill was proud of his southern roots. He grew up
in Atlanta and attended the University of Georgia, which transformed
him into a lifelong Bulldogs fan. Years later he received an MA in
counseling psychology from Antioch University New England.

Summers
were spent up at Blackrock, a family home in the north Georgia
mountains, where Bill had so many happy memories. Bill’s passion
for music was nurtured at an early age when he was chosen through a
competitive selection process to be a member of the Apollo Boys’
Choir, a nationally renowned choir based in Palm Beach, Fla. Modeled
after the Vienna Boys Choir, the group toured throughout the country
and was instrumental in developing Bill’s love of classical music.

After
college, he spent several years in New York City, where he worked as
a social worker with minority groups. In 1969 he moved to Vermont,
where he would spend the next 55 years continuing to help people in
various positions, including as a social service consultant for the
State of Vermont and later through his own business, called
Lifetypes, providing personal and vocational counseling to
individuals and couples. He also held positions as an adjunct faculty
member at the University of Vermont, New England Culinary Institute
and Burlington College, teaching courses in personality theory and
learning styles. During his retirement years, he enjoyed substitute
teaching and loved to bring history to life for his students by
talking about his experience meeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a
student at the University of Georgia. He also spent many years
writing the Business Beat column for the Times Ink, Richmond’s
local newspaper.

In
his leisure time. Bill loved anything outdoors: camping, fly-fishing,
canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, astronomy and, of course,
Georgia football. He instilled these passions for nature in his three
sons.

Bill
leaves, Gina, his beloved wife of 34 years; his sons, Haynes (Dana)
of Bowling Green, Ky., Luke (Emily) and Matt (Hope); grandchildren,
Anna and Daniel; niece, Ashley LeConte Campbell, and nephews, Scott
Campbell and Stewart and Karl Haddock, of Atlanta; along with many
dear friends who have been just like family.

A
celebration of Bill’s life will take place on Wednesday, July 10, 1
p.m., at the Richmond Congregational Church. To celebrate Bill’s
life, please consider doing a random act of kindness or hug someone
you love. If you wish to make a donation, gifts can be made to the
Richmond Congregational Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.

This article appears in Jun 19-25, 2024.