William “Bill” John Norton Sr. passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on January 24, 2026.
Born on October 22, 1942, to parents Reuben Norton of Bristol, Vt., and Alta Butterfield of Lincoln, Vt., he graduated from Bristol High School in 1960 and went on to attend Champlain College in Burlington, Vt., graduating in 1963. Bill met the love of his life, Linda Goodyear of Lincoln, Vt., and was married on June 18, 1962. After marrying, they raised their three children. He then went on to have a long and successful career working in Montpelier in the auditor’s office as an auditor and chief auditor from 1963 to 1998. Then he moved over to the Vermont treasurer’s office as the director of audit compliance, where he worked from 1998 to when he retired in 2004, after 41 years of service.
He also was a longtime member, trustee, deacon and treasurer of United Church of Lincoln, from 1979 to 2017. Bill and Linda were also founding members of Lincoln’s Weathervane United Inc. in 1983 and served on the board of directors and as the treasurer. Bill also served with the Lincoln Fire Department from 1970 as their business manager and … you guessed it, the treasurer. As if he wasn’t busy enough, he also served as Lincoln’s auditor from 1966 to 1978 and a selectman from 1978 to 1981 and was a member of the Mount Abraham Union High School, director and treasurer, in 1967 and the director of New England States Municipal Finance Officers Association from 1976 to 1977.
During his life Bill devoted himself to many projects — not just the “honey do lists” that Linda would frequently make for him. He could frequently be found putting up his winter supply of wood, playing his weekly cribbage games, brook fishing with his grandkids, making maple syrup and maple cream with his son and grandsons, and attending the many sporting events of his grandchildren. He also was a longtime fan of the UConn women’s basketball team and would be highly invested in watching NCAA women’s basketball.
Bill is survived by his brother Wayman Norton; children, William (“Chuck”) and Kim, Charles (“Chip”) and Vaneasa (Norton), and Dan Stearns; and grandchildren, Alyssa Spafford (m. Steven), Lydia Euber (m. Jordan), Nicholas Norton, Ross Norton, Joseph Norton (m. Kristine), Dana Norton, Erik Norton and William Norton. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Hugh Spafford; Eleanor Norton; George Norton; Megyn, Jacquelyn, Madison and Bianca Spafford; Camille Euber; Oliver Provencher; and Henry Malloy. He is also survived by his great-great-grandchild, Adeline Chadburn; his many sisters- and brothers-in-law, Bruce and Roberta Goodyear, Gilbert Goodyear, Lorraine and Robert Patterson, Lenore and Russell Gates, Lisa Goodyear-Prescott and Reed Prescott; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bill is predeceased by his loving wife, Linda Norton (Goodyear); parents, Reuben Norton and Alta Norton (Butterfield); brother Charles Norton; and father- and mother-in-law, Paul Goodyear and Wanda (Thompson) Goodyear.
A service will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, 2 p.m., at United Church of Lincoln, with a reception to follow at Burnham Hall. A private family burial service will be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank Addison County Home Health & Hospice for their spectacular care and help getting him home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to United Church of Lincoln.
This article appears in January 28 • 2026.