Vermont community mourns the loss of Treat Williams

DORSET – Garry DuFour of North Rupert has fond memories of actor Treat Williams.

“I met Treat and his wife at the Dorset Theatre, must have been eight, nine years ago when he did ‘Love Letters.'”

Williams, 71, was fatally injured when an SUV turning left crossed into the path of the motorcycle Williams was driving, said police.

State police were back at the scene doing crash reconstruction Tuesday.

The Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage called his death a tragic loss to all who knew him personally and who experienced his creative work on stage and screen.

Williams, an honorary trustee, had been working with cottage staff and volunteers on a one-man show on General Grant.

Williams posted a picture of his Vermont home the day of the crash, writing “there is no better smell than new mown hay.”

DuFour left bright flowers on the fence outside Williams’ home.

“Well, I was sitting over here. The TV was on. I was stunned,” he said. “Sad. Motorcycle accident. Almost a little angry for what had happened, for him to go that way, for him to be lying on the road. Route 30.”

Williams’ nearly 50-year career included many roles on stage, TV, and in movies, from “Hair” to “Everwood” to “Blue Bloods.”

DuFour said he will be missed.

“He was part of the community. He was down to earth. He loved people, and he loved his family, of course.”