WILTON — Go home and tell your family that you love them, Terry Campbell said to those gathered Tuesday to remember the brother she lost 10 years ago.

A memorial vigil for Raymond “Butch” Weed was planned for Dec. 23, the day he was shot at his Wilton home in 2003.

Due to last week’s ice storm, the vigil was postponed to Tuesday, Dec. 31, the day of Weed’s funeral 10 years ago.

More than 30 family and friends gathered near the Veterans Memorial in 5-degree temperatures to remember the man they called brother and friend.

“He’s probably looking down, giggling at all of us freezing for him,” Shane Campbell of Franklin, Weed’s brother-in-law, said.

Weed was remembered for his large, generous heart and the impact he had, particularly on children. He taught nephews to fish and hunt. He was a real-life hero to them, Campbell said.

He had a good heart and was a hard worker who loved hunting, fishing and his family, Campbell said.

“He was the one who brought the fun,” Terry Campbell said of her brother. “He lived life like Christmas was everyday.”

The holidays will never be the same for his family members, sister Rachel Skidgell of Carthage said after the vigil.

For 10 years, there’s been no peace, no closure, no justice for the family, Shane Campbell said.  Meanwhile, the person who took Weed’s life has walked freely and been able to celebrate the Christmases taken from Weed.

They spoke confidently of a solution to the crime that took 40-year-old Weed’s life. Maine State Police Detective Randall Keaten of the Major Crimes Unit was recently assigned to the cold case. 

Keaten, along with Wilton police Chief Heidi Wilcox, has given them hope that justice will come. Terry Campbell urged everyone to let somebody know if they thought of anything — even the smallest detail.

“This will come to an end,” she said.

Some friends spoke of memories and good times shared with Weed during the vigil shortened due to the cold. They held candles with small black and red ribbons pinned to their coats for Weed.

“He had a good heart,” Mark Barrett said. “He did not expect anything in return (for things he mostly did in secret). He’d pick up someone’s tab without saying anything.”

Weed was a financial source for this community, Shannon Smith said of the man who provided coats and jackets for many Wilton children.

“Butch could have lived anywhere, but he loved Wilton and the people,” Skidgell said as she told Smith how much Weed admired her for all she does for the community.

He was a good family friend, Wanda Williamson of Farmington said before the vigil. He was always checking on the kids.

A couple voiced memories of how Weed would leave coins in the gumball machine at Mario’s just to see the smile of the child who discovered it there and got a free gumball.

Williamson also remembered a trip to the dump with Weed, who stopped to pick up the garbage someone else threw out on the road.

“He said it was a good thing to do,” Williamson said. “(The act) will come back (to repay his effort).”

The sisters remembered the man who was always late. If there was a family picnic planned for 4 p.m., they’d tell Weed it was at 3 p.m. just to get him there, Terry Campbell said.

They also remembered the man who never slept and worked hard. The brother they think of every day.

Weed operated his own business, New Horizon Builders, from his home at 32 Main St.

“You’re in our hearts,” Terry Campbell said.  “No one can take that away.”

abryant@sunjournal.com

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