Pastor William J. Bellaire

CLINTON – Pastor William J. Bellaire, 85, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, went home to be with the Lord on March 31, 2025, in Augusta.

William “Bill” was born on March 24, 1940, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of the late Joseph and Dorothy (Bunde) Bellair. While in school, Bill found he had an aptitude for mechanical skills, studying tool and die machine work. After graduating from Whitmer High School in Toledo, Bill proudly served his country in the US Navy aboard the USS Boston from 1959 – 1963, using his skills as a machine repairman. This later led to a job in the tool and die industry.

While in the Navy, Bill heard the faithful witness of God’s love and salvation. In 1962, while in port at Barcelona, Spain, Bill believed and accepted Christ as his Savior. Shortly after, the Lord called him to become a full time minister. While in port on the East Coast, Bill attended Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Boston and participated in outreach ministries where he met his beloved wife Jan.

While working as a machinist in Toledo, Ohio, Bill began his ministerial studies at Toledo Bible College earning two bachelor’s degrees, one in Theology, and one in Religious Education. Bill later finished his Master of Ministry degree at Northland Baptist Bible College. Bill began serving the Lord as an interim pastor in 1969 and later served as full time minister/pastor for many years in Ohio, Michi. and Maine. After retiring from pastoral ministry, he became a member of the Burnham Baptist Church in Maine.

Bill loved most any sport, especially baseball and ice hockey, where he played goalie. He volunteered to coach soccer and basketball at the small Christian school where his children attended. Bill was an avid sportsman, enjoying the outdoors, taking his children boating, fishing, and creating many special memories at a family camp in Lincolnville, Maine. Ice fishing, bow hunting, and deep sea fishing were other ways he enjoyed sharing time with his sons.

Bill will also be lovingly remembered for his friendly conversation and terrific sense of humor. His ability to relate stories and to tell jokes made him popular with the staff at the nursing home.

Bill was predeceased by his daughter, Susan Bellaire Fultz; sister, Jean Mettler and husband Jim, and brother, Richard and wife Betty. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Janice; his sons, Mark and his wife Erin, and son Jacob; Stephen and his wife Ruth; his son-in-law Larry Fultz; and many loved nephews and nieces.

A funeral will be held on May 17, 2025, with the time and location to be determined. A committal will follow at Green Lawn Rest Cemetery in Clinton with military honors being presented for his service to our country.

To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit http://www.shoreynichols.com.

Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pittsfield.