DR. WILLIAM “BILL” FIFIELD

BRIDPORT — Dr. William “Bill” Fifield completed his earthly journey on Feb. 2, 2024, after a long illness, surrounded by loving family. He was 79. He was the son of the late Kenneth H. and Dorothy (Kenyon) Fifield of Wells, Vt. He was also predeceased by his younger sister, Barbara Kay (Fifield) Nielson of Aurora, Colo., who died in 1992.

Bill grew up in Granville, N.Y., and after high school attended the University of Vermont, where he met his wife, Jean, and earned B.A. and M.D. degrees. After completing a residency in family medicine in Syracuse, N.Y., Bill entered the U.S. Air Force and served two years at the U.S.A.F. Academy in Colorado, achieving the rank of Major. Following this, he joined the staff at the Castleton Medical Center, where he practiced until 1979. That year, he moved to Middlebury and joined Dr. Timothy Cope, with whom he practiced until his retirement in 2009. In addition to being a practicing physician, Bill was a member of several boards and committees and was a past president of the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians.

He and Jean were longtime members of the Congregational Church of Middlebury, United Church of Christ.

Known for his colorful sense of humor, Bill had many interests and hobbies outside of medicine, including boating, model railroading, alpine skiing, and photography. An avid reader, he also had a huge collection of “golden oldie” records. Bill and Jean raised their sons in a farmhouse in Middlebury. They lived there until 2014, when they moved to their final home in Bridport on Lake Champlain.

What probably gave Bill the greatest pleasure was the neighborhood “haunted house” that took place in the barn beside his house for 10 years and included a cast of dozens of people, becoming a major attraction in the Seeley District, where the family lived.

Bill was a tireless advocate for the environmental movement, which he strongly supported.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jean; sons Adam (Kathleen) of West Orange, N.J., David of Brandon, Vt., and Soeuth (Mai) of Methuen, Mass.; grandchildren Will and Audrey Fifield; and cousin Ron Willetts of North Port, Fla.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Congregational Church of Middlebury, United Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com.◊