Wilson Hervey Shores

CLINTON – Wilson Hervey Shores, 92, passed away Monday, April 5, 2021 at his home in Clinton.

Wilson was born in Benton on Dec. 4, 1928 to James Edward Shores and Florence May German Shores. Wilson graduated from Lawrence High School in 1947. While in high school, Wilson was active in the Future Farmers of America and participated in the showing of cattle, for which he received several first-place awards. After graduating from high school, Wilson worked on his family farm for several years.

On April 22, 1950, Wilson married the love of his life, Martha Mae Rowe. Wilson and Martha were lovingly married for 70 years. Several weeks after their marriage, the couple purchased the dairy farm owned by Wilson’s grandfather in Benton. Wilson made his living on that dairy farm for 28 years, during which time he owned up to 100 youngstock and milking cows, while also raising seven children with his wife.

After retiring from farming in 1978, Wilson was employed by S.A.D. #49 as a bus driver and as a custodian. He also worked as a truck driver for several years at his cousin Merton Richard’s business. In 1981 the couple moved to Clinton, where they had built the new home Martha had always dreamed of on a 200-acre parcel of land overlooking the Sebasticook River.

Wilson was active in both the farming community and his local communities. He was a member of the Benton Grange for 78 years and the Maine Farm Bureau. He served as a member of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee for 20 years. He also served as both a First Selectman and a Second Selectman in Benton for several years. In addition, he was at one time the president of the Clinton Lions Club and the president of the Clinton Senior Citizens organization.

Wilson and Martha spent many years wintering in Davenport, Fla., where they made many new friends. They enjoyed traveling to many other states, including California, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C., with their oldest daughter and her husband, and together they traveled to Ohio to visit one of their twin daughters. They were also fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel abroad to England, Scotland, Germany and France.

Wilson had the unique ability to dowse for water using an apple tree branch. He met many interesting people as he traveled throughout the state to use this gift to locate the best site on a piece of property for a well.

Wilson was very proud of his several large vegetable gardens and supplying his family, friends and neighbors with the fruits of his labor. He and Martha also enjoyed taking leisurely drives to different parts of Maine and spent many hours each summer picking different kinds of berries and enjoying their bounty.

Wilson is lovingly missed by his wife, Martha; his brother, Stanley Shores and his wife Esther; daughter, Sally Tuttle and her husband Mervin Jr., son, George Shores and his wife Ann, son, Steven Shores, daughter, Bonnie Williams and her husband Michael, daughter, Darlene Shores Lynch and her husband Scott, daughter, Charlene Shores-Lynn and her husband Ron, and son-in-law, Ronnie Harris and his partner Judith Pelotte. He is also greatly missed by his 11 grandchildren, Mervin Tuttle III and his wife Jeanne, Derek Veilleux and his wife Jude, Ronnie Harris, Andrew Harris and his wife Melanie, Keven Shores and his wife April, Jeffrey Williams and his wife Christina, Keenan, Kelsie and Braeden Lynch, and Lauryn and Abby Lynn; and his eight great-grandchildren:, Aiden and Andrew Tuttle, Hailey Williams, Gabriel Estrada, Hayden McLeod, Ashley Shores, and Alex and Ellie Mae Harris; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Wilson was predeceased by his parents, James and Florence Shores; sisters, Mabel Colson and Irene Murch; his brothers, James Jr., Leland, Doug and Lendell; his daughter, Terry Shores Harris; and his granddaughter, Cheryl Tuttle.

A graveside celebration of Wilson’s life will be held on Saturday, May 15 at 2 p.m. at the Brown Cemetery on the Albion Road in Benton.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral and Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the

Benton Grange #458,

c/o MaryAnn Colson,

8 East Benton Rd.,

Benton, ME 04901

or to a charity of your choice.


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