William Backhouse Astor, III (19 Jul 1935 - 24 Sep 2009) [47196]

Burlington Free Press (VT) - September 30, 2008

Deceased Name: WILLIAM ASTOR [47196]

BURLINGTON - William Astor, 73, of Burlington, died peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. Son of John Astor [] and his beloved mother, Ellen Tuck French [], Bill was born on July 19, 1935 in New York City. He grew up in New York City and spent his summers as a child in Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated from Saint Paul's School in New Hampshire and Rollins College in Florida. Following college, he and his family moved to New Vernon, N.J. where he gave many years of service to the New Vernon Fire Department serving as president from 1972 - 1974. Bill moved with his family to Cornwall, Vt. where he owned and managed a family farm. In his later years, Bill moved to Burlington, to be closer to his children and grandchildren and also to receive the medical attention he needed. Despite his illness, Bill remained a stoic and independent person, always maintaining a great sense of humor and the ability to make people smile and laugh in even the most difficult of circumstances. He will be remembered for his strength, humor, generosity and his wonderful storytelling abilities. Bill is survived by his two sons, William Astor [47197], and G. Todd Astor [], of Essex Junction; his wife, Robin []; and their three grandchildren, Alexandra Ellen [], Rebecca Charlotte [] and Stephen William [] who will miss Grandpa tremendously. He is also survived by his sister, Jacqueline Astor Drexel [] of New York and her son Nicholas []. In respect to Bill's wishes, there will be no service to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Burlington Fire Department which held a special place in Bill's heart because of his past involvement in the fire department, and for the personal assistance many members of the department provided for Bill in recent years. Gifts can be made to the Burlington Firefighters Donation Fund, 136 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington VT 05401. Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral and Cremation Serrvice.

Burlington Free Press (VT)
Date: September 30, 2008
Record Number: 10d8677a5244f5d54f468292332c02d171dfae0
Copyright (c) The Burlington Free Press. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.

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Addison County Independent, 2 Oct 2008
William Astor
BURLINGTON — William Astor, 73, of Burlington died on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. He was born July 19, 1935 in New York City, the son of John Astor and Ellen Tuck French.

He grew up in New York City and spent his summers as a child in Newport, R.I. He graduated from Saint Paul’s School in New Hampshire and Rollins College in Florida. Following college, he and his family moved to New Vernon, N.J., where he worked at the New Vernon Fire Department, serving as president from 1972 to 1974.

He moved with his family to Cornwall, where he owned and managed a family farm. In his later years, he moved to Burlington to be closer to his children and grandchildren and also to receive the medical attention he needed.

According to family, he remained a stoic and independent person in spite of his illness, always maintaining a great sense of humor and the ability to make people smile and laugh in even the most difficult of circumstances.

He is survived by his two sons, William Astor and G. Todd Astor of Essex Junction; his wife, Robin; three grandchildren; a sister, Jacqueline Astor Drexel of New York, and a nephew.

Out of respect for his wishes, there will be no service to celebrate his life.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Burlington Firefighters Donation Fund, 136 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington VT 05401.