William Frederick Minnis

William Frederick Minnis, 79, of Hooksett, passed away at his residence on September 7, 2021.

Bill was born in Somerville, MA on May 4, 1942, the son of Gordon and Millicent (Thompson) Minnis. In 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served as First Lieutenant during the Vietnam War as an intelligence officer, a service for which he always felt pride. While still in the army, he obtained his bachelor's at the University of Nebraska and later an MBA at Northeastern. Bill excelled as a sales manager for most of his career and also taught at Southern NH University in the business school.

Bill was warm, talkative, and always with a joke or a pun. An optimist by nature, Bill loved many things. In his younger years, he was an avid bicyclist. His daughters remember many board games, lots of homework help, rounds of catch and HORSE, college football, morning pancakes (the only thing he ever cooked), Robert Frost poems, and Car Talk on the radio during every car ride. Bill was always handy and together with his wife Ruth, completed many incredible home remodeling projects. Bill was blessed with fourteen grandchildren who affectionately called him Poppi. His loves of cribbage, dogs, puzzles, all things Halloween and Christmas, and Scotch, particularly Balvenie Double Wood, would last his lifetime. He never once said no to apple pie.

Family members include his wife of ten years, Ruth Kidder; two daughters, Andrea Minnis of Dover and Sarah Minnis of Strafford; three step-sons, Jason Simard of Concord, Benjamin Simard and his wife Andrea of Goffstown, and Joshua Gurney and his wife Crystal of Lakeville, MA; a step-daughter, Meagan Grant and her husband Michael of Hooksett; fourteen grandchildren, El, Max, Elsa, Laith, Sommer, Tyler, Bella, Maia, Soleil, Alana, Alivia, Evan, Noah, and Tobey; two brothers, Robert Minnis and his wife Annette of VA, and Leonard Minnis and his wife Kathleen of MA; a sister, Doreen Ambrose of MA; a sister-in-law, Robynne Alexander of Manchester; and nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was predeceased by his first wife, Diane “Deenie” Minnis in 2003.

A graveside service with military honors will take place at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen on Monday, September 13th at 11:30 AM. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover St, Manchester, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to either the Wounded Warriors or the ASPCA.To view an online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net .