AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, William “Bill” F. White III passed away at the age of 92 in the arms of his beloved wife DesAnges. Bill was born on Feb. 3, 1931, in Freeport, Maine. His family moved to a variety of places until they settled in Gardiner, Maine, where Bill graduated from Gardiner High School. On Nov. 27, 1954, he married DesAnges Coulombe, and together they raised two children. After graduating high school, Bill went on to work in the engineering department for the Veteran’s Administration at Togus, Maine. He worked 52 years for the VA, mostly at the VA center in Togus, but also at the VA hospital in Loma Linda, California, the VA hospital in Castle Point, New York, and the VA cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, most of the time overseeing construction projects. Before he died, he told his family that he wanted to share some events in his life of which he was most proud. The first is his two children by his wife DesAnges: daughter Terry (White) Deane and son William F.White IV. The second is the fact that he was an Eagle Boy Scout with the Silver Palm. A great deal of hard work went in to achieving this award, and he was extremely very proud of this accomplishment. The third is that he was a member of the Mayflower Society as a direct descendent of William White, the Pilgrim who came to this country on the Mayflower in November of 1620, and of his son Peregrine (born Dec. 10, 1620). Peregrine was actually born on the ship but was credited with being the first person from the Mayflower contingent to be born here as there was no safe place on land at that time for a childbirth to take place. Many will remember Bill as a great organizer. He was a leader in the Togus Employees Association helping to put together outings and activities. He was instrumental in helping to build a new ball field for Winthrop’s Little League, and helped establish Winthrop’s Lassie League, a softball league for girls. Later in life Bill could be counted on to organize high school class reunions. Bill’s greatest joy in life was socializing, and he had a great many friends. He and his neighbors and friends spent many years playing ping pong in the top of his barn. Bill was an excellent bridge player and spent hours and hours playing bridge. After retirement, he and his wife moved to Leesburg, Florida, and he became involved in a group that played competitive pool and a men’s bridge group. His wife, children and grandchildren have wonderful memories of days on the beach at Reid State Park, waterskiing at their home on the lake, and playing a large variety of table games.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, William White Jr. and Elizabeth Willey.

He is survived and will be missed by his beloved wife DesAnges, his two children Terry Deane and her husband Beric, his son William White IV and his wife Michele, his twin sister, Olive Braley, grandchildren, Brittany Howe, Tristan Deane, Logan Deane Brigham, Katie White, and great grandchildren Evan, Trevor, Jace, Noah, and Charlie. In addition he has many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

A remembrance burial service will held later in the summer. Family members and friends will be notified when arrangements have been made.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Obituary: Robert Stiles Mathews

Next »

Obituary: Judith A. (Bodge) Michaud