Lloyd Wilson Light, 83, of Waldoboro, passed away at home on the sunny Sunday, May 12, 2024 with family at his bedside, leaving all the pain of years behind.
Lloyd was born in Camden on June 1, 1940, to Lloyd E. and Goldie Genthner Light. He attended school in Camden for grades 5-12, graduating in 1958. He joined the Army in 1959 for three years and was off to Fort Dix, N.J. He signed on for military police school in Fort Gordan, Ga. The back-to-duty-assignment in Fort Dix Stockade. As PFC 1st Class in the 64th Military Police Co. he transferred to Tulle, France, patrolling Tulle and Nancy, France, as well as Paris. Lloyd was due to return on in the fall of 1961, when JFK extended discharges to spring of 1962.
Upon return to Camden, Lloyd tested the waters for job opportunities outside of policing. He tried construction, drove a truck for Armor Meats, and then to Rankin Grain Co. in Camden. Rankin had a contract flock of poultry that wasn’t’ thriving, so Rankin offered the job of bringing the flock back to full production. He took the challenge and won.
During that summer of 1962, Lloyd met Donna Jean Beal, who would become the love of his life for 61 years. Planning to marry, he approached Donna with the idea that he would really like to be a chicken farmer and he just happened to know of a farm for lease in Appleton, and Rankin would contract a flock of birds to him. All of this was quite a surprise for Donna, but she went along with it. Lloyd was a poultry man for 20 years until the poultry industry was becoming obsolete. Watching the markets, they sold Lights Egg Farm in Waldoboro and once again Lloyd returned to corrections to work for the state of Maine at the prison until medical problems required retirement.
Lloyd was a family man from 1963 when daughter, June Ellen, was born; in 1965 Bethany Hope was born. Come 1974, Lloyd Ernest (Chad) came along. With his love, support, generosity, and kindness he helped to create strong productive young people. The family shared his love of fishing, boating, and camping trips were always exciting. Son Chad took to baseball, Lloyd’s school sport. They were off to every baseball field in Maine it seemed. From Little League to Babe Ruth, and high school baseball, Lloyd was there to help with what he could, pain and all.
After Donna retired in 2005, they decided to fulfill another dream and followed their daughter, June, and her husband, Michael to Holiday, Fla. They found a house across the street from them to rent for the six-month season. They spent 10 years living as “snowbirds” and although he dreamed of fishing in the “best fishing area” in the country, he couldn’t fulfill that wish due to health issues. In 2019 the decided that they would give up their time in Florida, just in time for COVID to hit. The last five years were spent at home spending as much time with the family as possible with cookouts and holiday gatherings, enjoying every minute. Family was his biggest joy.
Lloyd was a life member of Charles C. Lily Post No. 149 of the American Legion, a 50-year member of King Solomon’s Lodge No. 61, the La Société Des 40 Hommes, and the IOOF in Warren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Goldie; sister, Francis Mitchell and husband, Clifton; nephew, Craig Mitchell; and daughter, Bethany Hope.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, June and husband, Michael; son, Chad and fiance, Stephanie; four grandchildren: Christopher L. Delano and fiance, Alyssa, Jennifer Bailey and husband, Ryan, Jacob Light and girlfriend, Aiden, Conner Light and girlfriend, Alexia Ingram; sister, Linda Hodgkins and husband, Harold; sister-in-law, Sheila Carlson and husband, Roger; brother-in-law, Dale Beal and wife, Connie; one great-granddaughter to be born in December; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 2 at the American Legion Hall in Waldoboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to an animal charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home in Waldoboro. Messages of condolences, pictures, and stories can be left at Lloyd’s memory page at hallfuneralhomes.com.
