Bruce Willson, 89, formerly of Waterford and Irasburg, passed away Tuesday morning, Jan. 15, 2013 at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury. Bruce was born in Waterford, Vt. on Aug. 31, 1923, the youngest of eight children born to Pearl (Smith) and Sam Willson. He and his wife Beryl (Harvey) Willson moved to Irasburg from Waterford; she passed away Jan. 26, 2002. Bruce worked on the Willson family farm in Waterford. He then purchased and operated farms in St. Johnsbury Center, then in Waterford, then in Coventry and his last farm was in Charleston. He retired from farming in 1983. He then was the sexton for the Waterford cemeteries for 15 years. He also mowed cemetery lawns in Irasburg and enjoyed woodworking, making many crafts over the years. Bruce was very community-minded. He served as a lister for the town of Waterford and later he was a selectman for the town of Charleston. He was a member of Farm Bureau and the Soil Conservation Service. He is survived by his devoted partner Janet Lucas of St. Johnsbury who cared for him until the end; four children: Cheryl Simino and husband Dale of West Charleston, Vt., Ronald Willson and wife Lisa of Charleston, Vt., Susan Patneaude and husband Roy of Inverness, Fla., Sandra Keyser and husband Phil of Eden, Vt.; 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents; his five brothers Hubert, Lincoln, Leland, Donald, and Dean Willson; and his two sisters Nina Stone and Mildred Tripp. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home on Friday at 11 a.m. with family friend, the Rev. Nathan Strong of Albany, officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Lower Waterford on Friday May 10. 2013 at 1 p.m. Donations made in Bruce's memory may be directed to, Caledonia Home Health Care, (for Hospice) 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.