William “Bill” Preston Avery

BELGRADE – William Preston Avery “Bill”, 40, died unexpectedly at his home in Belgrade, on Feb. 11, 2026. He was born in Middletown, Conn., July 9, 1985, to Brian and Ronda (Pelotte) Avery of Belgrade. Bill graduated from the autobody technician program at Vinal Technical High School in Middletown, Conn.

Bill was a true patriot. He was a man of many interests and talents. He loved the field of security, service and protection. He was employed by Paragon/Ameritas for the past two years as a DHS Security Officer at the Muskie Center in Augusta and Brinks prior to that.

He recently had been serving as a proud member of Belgrade Fire and Rescue since 2022, a duty he took very seriously and loved wholeheartedly. He served as a volunteer from the age of 14 starting in the East Hampton Fire Department in Connecticut where his father and uncle, grandfathers and sisters also served. He moved to Haddam Neck Fire Department in Connecticut and served several years there.

Bill was a member of Capital City Gun Club in Augusta, a favorite place to train and have fun. He was an extremely knowledgeable marksman and would share the knowledge with anyone that would seek it. Bill was an avid hunter and bow instructor for the state of Connecticut. He loved the outdoors and fostered in his children self-sufficiency by hunting and fishing and taking care of the land.

He loved his heritage and was declared a warrior at a young age. His native name, given by his grandparents, was Little Bear. He would work security and held the position of fire keeper at Pow Wows from a young age. He enjoyed attending men’s council in Northern Maine with his Pepe. He and his sister were flown to Alaska with his Pepe by the governor of Alaska to attend their first Pow Wow which his Pepe helped to organize.

Bill had a deep love for his family, and he never met a stranger.

Bill received commendations and awards, most recently from Paragon for helping a woman who was having a medical emergency at the Muskie Center. He received recognition this year from his fire company for being Top Responder (Most calls responded to) He put his heart and soul into keeping people safe and secure.

Bill loved to laugh and was always waiting for the next opportunity to crack a joke or pull a prank. He had the ability to put people at ease in any situation and was always a professional.

Bill had an amazing love for his family; his wife and children were his entire world.

He was a big kid at heart and loved being involved in his children’s activities, making sure other kids were welcomed. Bill loved to be involved in anything that involved others. He was very proud to be a part of the security detail at his church on Sundays and any other time they needed him.

He was predeceased by his brother, Norman James Avery, Dec. 21, 1993.

He is survived by his parents, Brian and Ronda ( Pelotte) Avery; his wife and true love, “the one” Diana (Lavoie) Avery; his children Spirit Avery 15, Aurora Avery 7, Matthew 6; his sisters Brandi Rodriguez of East Hampton, Conn. ,Caitlin Avery of Middletown Conn.; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Steve and Kathy Lavoie of Colorado; nieces: Angel and Cheyenne Rodriguez; nephews: Robert Roderiguez and Milo Lavoie; aunts and uncles, George and Tammi Avery of Franklin, Conn., James Pelotte and Kim Davis of East Hampton, Conn..; grandmothers: Lynn Avery Peszynski and Ruth Pelotte, both of East Hampton, Conn.; several cousins , close friends and in-laws.

Calling hours will take place at Veilleux Funeral Home, at 8 Elm Street Waterville, on Feb. 20, 2026, from 6-8 p.m.

Services and a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday Feb. 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Faith Evangelical Church on Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.

Services are under the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com.