William “Bill” Seamans, 93, a long-time resident of Spofford, died on Sunday, April 21, 2019, in comfort at The Arbors of Bedford.
Bill was born on July 8, 1925, in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a decorated World War II veteran who earned two Bronze stars and a Purple Heart for his service in the U.S. Army as a sharpshooter with the 94th Infantry Division. He participated in three fields of combat including the Battle of the 
Bulge. In Pontivy, France, he trained members of the Marquis (French Resistance) on the use of American-supplied weapons and distributed food and medical supplies to assist them.
After he left the service Bill attended Brown University on the GI Bill. He met Jane Kingsbury at a college mixer and the couple married on September 15, 1951 at her father’s cottage on Spofford Lake. Jane predeceased him on October 21, 2017 at their home next door to the place where they were married.
Bill continued his education at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. He began his career at CBS News as an editor for the morning radio news then moved to the evening television news as an editor and writer for Walter Cronkite for which he earned an Emmy. In the early 1960s he joined ABC News as a correspondent and producer where he spent 29 years including five years as London bureau chief and 22 years as Tel Aviv bureau chief.
During his tenure in Israel he covered the Gulf War and was honored with a second Emmy for the news special Nightline in the Holy Land and Overseas Press Club awards for radio reporting on the invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and a television documentary on Yitzhak Rabin. He retired to Spofford in 1991 but continued to share his expertise through commentary and editorials for Vermont Public Radio and The Keene Sentinel. As a testament to his belief in the power of education, he donated working papers and other related materials to the Mason Library at Keene State College.
Bill was a longstanding member of the Writers Guild, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Overseas Press Club, National Press Club, and the Foreign Correspondents Association. Beyond his professional interests Bill was an avid tennis player, doting owner to his beloved Boston terrier Caesar, and enjoyed target shooting, golf, and summer performances at the Peterborough Players.
Bill is survived by his children, Laurie Seamans of Rindge, Jonathan Seamans and his wife Karen Granger of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, and Adam Seamans and his wife Sharon of Westmoreland. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Megan Seamans Sugg of Brewster, Massachusetts, Amber Seamans of Westmoreland, and Carlo Falitico of Rindge, and a niece, Sarah Kocmond of Charlotte, North Carolina.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes there are no calling hours. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Burial will take place in the family lot at Friedsam Cemetery in Chesterfield. Donations can be made in memory of Bill Seamans to: Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Rd., Swanzey, NH 03446. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave., Keene, NH 03431. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com
