William "Bill" Hackett, Jr.
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Gilmanton’s Gift

William Hackett Jr., 83, died at Genesis Eldercare Network, Laconia Center on August 2, 2008.  With him were his caring family and his nurses, Mother Mary, Janice & Kathy and many more who cared and loved him at the center.

Bill was born in Farmington, N.H. on April 18, 1925 to William Hackett Sr. and Sadie (Hayward) Hackett.

He was employed in his early years at Clairmont’s Saw Mill and later became the Town Dump Keeper of the town of Gilmanton, N.H. As a hard worker, he took pride of never missing a day’s work in his life.

IN HIS LIFE: When William was very young, the Hackett family had frequent hardships and was required to place William where his needs would be taken care of, so he was placed in the Laconia State School’s orphanage, at the young age of 8.

At the age of 18 and still at the Laconia State School, he came to work on the well-known blueberry and apple orchard farm of the late King & Iona Little in Gilmanton N.H. He was so helpful and loveable, they adopted him and he lived in Gilmanton as part of the Little family for the rest of his life.

Hunting and fishing was a large part of his life. This was also a big part of the family’s food source. He loved the outdoors and loved teaching his outdoor skills to his special nephew, Bobby Little.

His nephew, Bobby, returned the favor later on in Bill’s elder years, by taking him in to live with him and his loving family after King & Iona Little passed on. Bill always said “this was the best gift he ever had in his life”.

 When he was not hunting or fishing, the Gilmanton residents would find him hitch-hiking to Laconia, to visit his new extended family, Robert and Arlene Little.  Everyone in Gilmanton knew who Bill was so he always would get a ride. He would strike up a conversation with the drivers who picked him up and would find out their name, address, & birthdates. From that moment on, he would remember them forever. He had a memory that was extraordinary.

Bill held very close to his heart a very special lady in town, Bonnie (Hartford) Whalen. She never forgot his birthdays, holiday, or just because gifts, left at the town dump for him. He was always appreciative of her kindness.

Bill was known to walk miles in unpleasant weather to fill a friend’s wood box, whom would be too ill to do so.  He would pull out his last penny and give the shirt off his back to a friend in need.

His kind and gentle manner was well known within the town and will never be forgotten. He had a pure innocence about him.

The town of Gilmanton has lost a very special person!

 Bill is survived by his adopted family members: sister, Arlene (Little) Hunkins, of Boscawen; nieces, Gloria-Jean Lacasse of Gilford, Ruth Lea Wrigley of Brookline; grandniece, Barbara Hoey, of Belmont; grandnephews, Recardo Segalini, of Belmont, Andrew Segalini, of Newport, R.I. and Dana Wrigley of Mesa, Arizona; three great grandnieces, Eimile & Elaina Hoey and Morgan Ferguson all of Belmont and one great grandnephew, Mitchel Segalini, of Gilmanton.

There will be no calling hours.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 3:00PM in Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia, N. H., Rev. Linda Bolton, Pastor of the Gilmanton Community Church, will officiate.

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. Is in charge of the arrangements.