WILLIAMSTOWN - Harold Arthur Carpenter, 94, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at the Woodridge Nursing Home, Berlin, reuniting with his beloved wife, Phyllis. His family had been at his side. Harold was born Feb. 9, 1916, in Orange, the eldest son of Arthur C. and Lillian (Flanders) Carpenter, on the family homestead which is now the site of the Thurman W. Dix Reservoir. Harold attended Williamstown High School, graduating in 1933, and graduated from Vermont Technical College, Randolph, in 1934. He served honorably as a member of the United States Marines Corps, May 1945 - June 1946.

Harold married his high school sweetheart Phyllis McAllister on March 22, 1938, in Barre.

Survivors include a son, H. Alan (Jacqueline) Carpenter, Williamstown, and daughter, Carol (Robert) King, Montpelier; grandchildren Frederick (Evelyn) Sumner, Orange; Sharon (Phil) Carpentier, Cabot; Michael (Tammy) Carpenter, Barre; Christine (Tim Lonergan) Carpenter, Nantucket, Mass.; Jonathan (Elizabeth) King, Anchorage, Alaska; Justin (Jean Cook) King, Washington, D.C.; and Jordan (Stacey) King, Santa Rosa, Calif.; great grandchildren Heather (Matthew) Flinn, Barre; Frederick (Kim) Sumner, Orange; Nichole and Melinda Carpentier, Cabot; Brianna, MacKenzie and Bailey Carpenter, Barre; Ethan and Alden King, Anchorage Alaska; Noah King, Santa Rosa, Calif.; and three great great grandchildren: Abigail Spencer, Jazmine and Cooper Sumner; cousins, nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews; sister-in-law Priscilla Carpenter, Randolph, also survives. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Phyllis, in 2008; daughter, Mavis Sumner and her husband Henry; brother, Russell F. Carpenter; and great grandson, Owen King.

After their marriage, Harold and Phyllis lived in Hartford, Brattleboro and Randolph. Following Harold's discharge from the Marines in 1946, they lived in Piermont, N.H., until October 1947, when they purchased the family farm on Route 14 in Williamstown which they owned and operated until 1985. He also was a substitute mail carrier and school bus driver. Upon retirement, they moved to Garden Street where their new home overlooked the Williamstown valley and the farm. They enjoyed their retirement years watching the happenings on the farm. Harold was active in Williamstown town affairs, serving on the school board 1952-58, selectman 1973-79, Board of Civil Authority, lister, and auditor, and was active in county and state agricultural organizations: Orange County A.C.S. Committee, the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District, and as an Agway committeeman for 24 years. He was also a member of the Williamstown Fire Department for 20 years, serving as a member of its Prudential Committee. He and Phyllis were Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) volunteers at Central Vermont Medical Center for many years.

Harold was an extremely kind and caring father, grandfather and friend, and man of great wisdom. He was always ready to take time for anyone who stopped by the farm – to chat, to ask questions, to share his wealth of knowledge on any number of topics. Together he and Phyllis opened their hearts and home to many local youth who were nurtured, cared for and given the opportunity to work as a member of the farm team. He will be remembered for his mild manner, his giving nature, and for being a consummate dairy farmer. His family will deeply miss his gentle loving care.

Harold's family is extremely grateful to the Woodridge Nursing Home Maple Grove caregivers who took such wonderful care of him following Phyllis' passing; and to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice (CVHHH) and its caregivers, who, with many others, made it possible for the family to keep Harold and Phyllis together in their home as long as possible.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Williamstown United Federated Church with interment in the Orange Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Harold's memory to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641, or to the Williamstown United Federated Church, W.U.C.S. Stove Fund, c/o Ann Hagarty, 124 Circle Street, Williamstown, VT 05679. Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre, was in charge of arrangements.