MEREDITH — William “Bill” Firth, 87, of Meredith Center, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2025, at Golden View Health Care Center in Meredith.
Bill was born Aug. 6, 1938, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, where he resided in Fishkill, New York, before moving to the Tampa Bay, Florida, area.
Bill earned his degree in education at Florida Southern University. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army. His military career continued for a total of 27 years in the 94th U.S. Army Reserves Command. He retired as master sergeant. During his time in reserves, he worked for Export Shipping in New Jersey. His teaching career started in several Florida school districts, before moving to Presque Isle, Maine, where he taught for 13 years. His teaching career was completed at Gilford High School, Gilford, in special education, where he was admired by his peers and students.
Bill was very active. He obtained his first motorcycle and license at the age of 72 and loved the wind in his face. He enjoyed snowmobile riding and some speed under him. But his love was peaceful boating on Lake Winnipesaukee with his wife Evelyn.
He was actively involved with the American Legion in Belmont, and giving more to the Legion as district commander. He loved beating players on "Jeopardy!" while sitting in his recliner.
His greatest love was his family ... he shared his loving heart daily, worried and cared about each member of his family.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn M. (Bickford) Firth; daughter Alicia Chase and her husband Thomas; grandchildren Breinn Daigneault and her husband Thomas, Aaron Kirk and his wife Tammy, Shawn Morrison and his wife Allison, and Justin Chase; great-grandchildren Lydia Jordan, Brodie Kirk, Ashtyn Kirk and Brianna Morrison. In addition to his parents, Bill is predeceased by his brother, Barry Firth.
Memorial donations in William F. Firth’s name may be made to the Belmont American Legion Post #58, P.O. Box 58, Belmont, NH 03220.
There will be no calling hours.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.
(1) entry
💙 From Sandey, His Daughter — A Tribute to My Dad, William “Bill” Firth
With love and respect, I would like to add information here to ensure my father’s full family is acknowledged, as I know this was his wish. My dad had expressed his wish for my family details to be included, and that information was shared multiple times prior to his passing on December 13, 2025.
Bill is also survived by his daughter, Sandra J. (Firth) Todd; grandchildren Jared Todd; Ashley Taylor (Todd) Bieber and her husband Steven; Memphis Todd; Rebekah Todd; Roger Jay Todd III; Zachariah Todd and his wife Zahra; and Kyle Todd; and great-grandchildren Bently, Maleah, Avery, Hopi, Koda, Ashton, Levi, Jolene, June, Aryana, Jay, Zaynab, and Zayn.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William V. Firth and Catherine Firth; his son, James D. (Jimmy) Firth; his grandson, Joshua Allen Eldiwitw; and his brother, Barry Firth.
My dad and I had a life shaped by distance — sometimes physical, sometimes emotional, but never without love. When my parents divorced, our lives split into different states, and the miles between us grew even more during his time in the military.
Even so, there has always been a part of me — the little girl inside — who simply wanted more time with her dad. More conversations. More Daddy-Daughter moments like teaching me to be brave and play with my walk-with-me Linda doll, who was my same size. More memories of us fishing, teaching me archery, knowing you were in the stands during gymnastics or just hanging out in your classroom cleaning chalkboards, and running the mimeograph machine. More moments to sit together and share chocolate chip cookies.
Years later, in the early 2000s, we found our way back to each other. Our relationship didn’t look like the traditional parent-and-child story… it became something quieter, softer, shaped by adulthood, forgiveness, and two people doing the best they could as we dealt with the challenges life presented. While physical distance still played its part, I learned the connection never stopped mattering — not to him, and certainly not to me.
My dad lived a full and remarkable life, but beyond all of that, he was my father. And no amount of distance — past or present — could change the love that exists in that simple truth.
I am grateful that he lived a long life, one filled with adventure, service, and family who loved and cared for him deeply. And I’m grateful for the chapters we did get to share.
Dad, I hope you knew I always wanted more time with you. I hope you felt my love across every mile. And I hope you left this world knowing that I will forever be that little girl who wanted nothing more than to sit beside you, laugh with you, and split a plate of chocolate chip cookies.
💙 I love you, Rest peacefully, Dad.
Sandey
Sign the guestbook.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.