Donald B. Williams, of New Harbor, died April 13 at his home. The son of Eleanor (Small) and Homer L. Williams, Don lived in Rumford and graduated from Stephens High School in 1960.
He worked for J.C. Penney while in high school and after graduation was offered a full time position but instead decided to head off to Boston where he attended Burdett College and got a job at J.C. Penney – Boston.
He joined the Naval Reserve in Boston in 1965 and in July of 1967 he went on active duty to San Diego for training and then to the USNS Sgt. Muller (TAG 171) based in Florida. Later he was transferred to Winter Harbor.
In March of 1968 he met the true love of his life, Brenda Holmes in Old Town, and in February 1969 married her in Worcester, Mass. In June of the same year he was transferred to the RPIO in Honolulu, Hawaii, and three years later he transferred to the Naval Reserve Center in Washington, D.C.
After two years he transitioned to civilian life and bought a house in Chelsea. While there Don managed Bonanza Steak House in Augusta.
In 1976 he moved with his family to Pemaquid Point and Don worked for Lamar Seiders, Louis Doe’s Hardware and Miles Memorial Hospital, and finally for First National Bank in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor. He bought the Come Again Shop in Damariscotta which he operated with his wife for 13 years.
A lifelong Republican, Don was active in the Bristol Republican Party as treasurer, vice chairman and chairman of the board. He also served as treasurer of the Lincoln County Republicans. He was appointed to the post of Lincoln County Treasurer by Angus King and served for several terms. He was elected chairman of the Maine State County Treasurer’s Association.
Don also served as a past director for the Boothbay Railway Museum and the Midcoast Federal Credit Union and treasurer for the Harrington Meeting House. Don was a member of the American Legion Post 0178 Waterville, and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8395 New Harbor.
Donald had a true love of the Red Sox that started when his parents packed the boys and a friend or two into the car and headed to Boston. Growing up, the family traveled a lot and he got to watch the Sox play in Boston, New York, Washington, Chicago, and California. While working in Boston, he scheduled his work days so he was off at three to see the Sox when they were in town. Back then he told of going to the games for a fifty-cent donation to the Jimmy Fund.
Don was predeceased by his daughter, “Thumper”; his parents; and brother, James Dixwell Williams.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughter, Wendy Arzate, husband Godofredo and twin grandsons, Logan and Joshua of Pemaquid Point; sons, D. Bradford Williams II of New Hampshire, and Jason R. Williams of Bristol Mills; brother, David L. Williams of Arundel; sister-in-law, Marcia Williams of Rumford; and many nieces and nephews in the Arundel and Rumford areas.
In following Don’s wishes, there will be no memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation made in Donald’s memory to one of the following organizations: the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02445; Miles and St. Andrews Home Health/Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543; or Bristol First Responders, 104 Southside Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554.
