William “Bill” E. Douglass, 62, of Rockport, died unexpectedly at his home on Sept. 3.
Born in Whitefield, Jan. 5, 1944, he was the son of Chester L. Douglass, II and Bernice Rancourt Douglass. He was educated in Whitefield schools.
In 1956, The American Legion in Damariscotta presented Bill with a medal in recognition of his heroism for saving a boy while swimming in the Sheepscot River.
For many years Bill worked at Hussey’s General Store in Windsor, as manager of the hardware department.
On Aug. 17, 1996, he married R. Louise Laine Young at Children’s Chapel in Rockport. For the past seven years, he worked with Kalloch Fuel in Rockland.
Bill’s family said he was a self-taught man whose acumen of knowledge always amazed them. He was an accomplished carpenter, woodworker and woodcarver; a jack-of-all trades who was always willing to help someone. He held a vast knowledge of antiques, which he collected and restored. He often enjoyed drawing and drafting projects he was building, and working around his home. Playing cribbage was also a favorite pastime.
He loved animals, especially his Persian cat “Milo”, and his two dogs “Jake” and “Maddi.”
His wife said that she and Bill were the “love of each other’s life and soul mates”. His family said that he was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather.
He was predeceased by one sister, Louise Mae Dalton, in 1966.
Bill is survived by his wife of Rockport; three children from a previous marriage, Daniel W. Douglass of Dorchester, Mass., Diane B. Tjelmeland and husband Kenneth of Jefferson, and Debra M. Walker of Farmingdale, as well as a son, Christopher J. Young and fiancée Ranae Robbins of Camden; daughter, Jennifer L. Young of Camden; two brothers, Chester L. Douglass, III and wife Shelby and Richard A. Douglass, all of Belleview, Fla.; sisters, Mary E. Grady, his twin of Whitefield, Fondy York of Nobleboro, and Marjory A. Taylor and husband Ronald of Ocala, Fla.; four grandchildren, Cherise Walker, Sierra Tjelmeland, Savannah Tjelmeland, and Garrett Robbins; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Sat., Sept. 9 at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, Seven Union St., Camden. The Rev. Arthur Pechillo will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland.