FREEPORT – William Robert Welsh of Freeport, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, at the VA Hospital in Togus after a battle with Interstitial Lung Disease.He was born on Sept. 11, 1941, in Gardiner, the youngest child of Leroy and Ethel (Williams) Welsh. He grew up in Gardiner and also spent a few of his early years in Connecticut. Billy enjoyed playing baseball and shooting pool. He played football for Gardiner High School and graduated in 1960. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent time in the Philippines and Okinawa.After his three years in the armed services Bill became a truck driver for Fox and Ginn. And when they closed he spent many more years behind the wheel mostly for Roadway Express. In 1990 he won first place in the 4-Axle Tractor Trailer division in the Maine Truck Driving Championships and was awarded Rookie of the Year as well.He also married his wife, Wendy Wyman, in Augusta in July of that same year. In 1996, he and Wendy started their business, Repeat Impressions. Together they designed and manufactured their own line of art rubber stamps and traveled all over the U.S. doing retail trade shows. For many summers their niece, Adriana Lund, joined them on their stamp show adventures. Bill seemed to have a little gypsy in his blood as he truly enjoyed putting thousands of miles on his pickup truck each year. He worked hard and played hard too. He particularly loved the time he spent with his wife, friends, and family every December in Aruba and all the fun times they had visiting with his daughter, Becca, when she was living in Florida.Bill was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a kind, witty man, always willing to lend a hand and was loved by many. He was an animal lover, enjoyed the outdoors, discovering new micro brews, hanging out with family and friends, and never missed watching the New England Patriots’ football games. He was a member of the Teamsters Local Union 25, Maine Professional Drivers Association, Scottish Rite, Kora Shriners, and the Augusta Elks.Bill is survived by his wife of 31 years, Wendy Wyman; his daughter, Rebecca (Kyle) McKee, of Winslow (from his second wife, Patti); his brother, Roy Welsh of Clinton; his niece, Donna Hobart of Springfield, Mass., who was like a sister to him; and was “Uncle Billy” to many other nieces and nephews.Bill was predeceased by his daughter, Kathleen H. Welsh, and son, John S. Welsh (from his first wife, Joyce); his father, Leroy F. Welsh; his mother, Ethel W. Welsh; his sisters, Marguerite Phillis, Mildred Slocum, Eleanor James, and Rowena James.At Bill’s request, there will be no visiting hours. A celebration of life will be held in the spring/summer of 2022.In lieu of flowers, consider doing a random act of kindness in his memory and/or raise a pint in his honor.

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