William Bill L Yardley

He was born in Keene on February 20, 1928, the son of William A. and Alice (Bahan) Yardley. He was a graduate of Marlborough High School and a lifelong area resident.

On October 23, 1948 he married Priscilla M. Richardson. They recently celebrated not only their 64th wedding anniversary, but also the 64th anniversary of living in their home.

Mr. Yardley held a long and involved career with the towns of Roxbury and Marlborough. He was the Public Works Director for the town of Marlborough for over 20 years; he was also Road Agent there. He was Road Agent for Roxbury, he was a Representative to the NH House for five terms during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, he was the last surviving Charter Member of the Monadnock Lions Club, where he was a member for over 50 years. He was a Town Selectman for Roxbury for 18 years. He was also a member of the Federated Church of Marlborough for many years. Along with all of these jobs, he was also a farmer and milkman, helping with the Yardley Sugar House as well.

He worked hard all his life. One of his favorite sayings was that you need to accomplish something every day. It is obvious that he believed and lived that by the fact that he was still serving as road agent for Roxbury well into his 81st year. He loved to laugh, and he loved to socialize with people in general.

In his spare time, he enjoyed going to farm machinery auctions.

In addition to his travels through much of the continental United States, he also travelled to Alaska, Hawaii, Guadalupe, New Zealand, South Africa, France and England. He also accompanied his wife Priscilla when she went on an Eastern European tour with the Keene Pops Choir.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 plus years, Priscilla R. Yardley of Roxbury; his daughter: Cynthia Jewett and her husband David of Roxbury; his four sons: Charles Yardley and his wife Christie of Keene, Steven Yardley and his wife Jo-Anne of Roxbury, Randall Yardley and his wife Barbara of Swanzey and Lawrence Yardley and his partner Dottie Rokes of Keene; 12 grandchildren: Katharine Jewett and her husband Mark Benson of Wallingford, CT., Sarah Neutra and her husband Justin of Marlborough, Spencer Yardley and his wife Carrie of Swanzey, Patrick Yardley of Keene, Scott Yardley and his wife Lindsay of Quincy, MA., Emily Yardley and her partner Travis Gontz of Fayetteville, PA., Courtney Welch and her husband Shawn of Berwick, ME., Hillary Stickney and her husband David of Swanzey, Jeremy Brosnahan of Burlington, VT., Matthew Yardley of Swanzey, Jennifer Yardley and Kristin Yardley, both of Myrtle Beach, SC.; 17, almost 18, great grandchildren; a sister: Barbara Watterson of Keene; a brother: James Yardley of Peterborough; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. His brother Freeland Yardley died earlier.

Services for Mr. Yardley will be held Saturday, January 19th, at 11:00, at the Federated Church of Marlborough. Calling hours will be held Friday, from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Fletcher Funeral Home. Burial will occur in the spring in the family plot at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Marlborough.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made, in William L. Yardley’s name, to the Federated Church of Marlborough, 16 Pleasant St, Marlborough, NH 03455 or to the Marl-Harris Ambulance, PO Box 399, Marlborough, NH 03455.

Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St, Keene, has been entrusted with the arrangements.