Walter Winfield McLain, 85, who was born Jan. 13, 1921, in Bremen, died May 14 in Bath. He was the seventh of nine children of Albert T. and Catherine Mountain McLain of Bremen. “Bill” graduated from Waldoboro High School, class of 1938, and went on to earn a diploma from Shaw Business College in Portland. He worked in Portland as a bookkeeper for the American Automobile Association, and Swift and Co., before enlisting in the Army Air Force in November 1942. As Tech Sergeant, he served as flight engineer and top turret gunner with the crew of “Male Call” in the 212th Unit. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross from Brigadier General Timberlake in 1944 for completion of 30 missions over Germany in the B-24 Liberator.
He married Marilyn Elizabeth Ramsdell of Rockland on Nov. 24, 1945. During his years working as a contract administrator at Supt. of Ships, Bath, he found relaxation in golf and weekends with his family. In 1984 he won the President’s Cup during the annual golf tournament at the Bath Country Club. He retired from civil service after 44 years, in 1981. He often spoke with pride of his years of work, military service, and travels through Africa and the British Isles during WWII.
Bill was predeceased by his brothers, Albert, Astor, Robert, and Ernest McLain; and sister, Katherine R. McFarland.
He is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 60 years; their daughter, Paula M. Harvard of Woolwich; granddaughters, Shelagh M. Harvard of Woolwich and Katherine C. Harvard of Brunswick; sisters, Electa Brown of Gorham, Edith Nutter of Waldoboro, and Louise Yates of Everett, Mass.; nieces Ramona Swett of East Dixfield and Lorraine Sargent of Fountain Valley, Cal.; and many other loving family members.
Graveside service will be held at Achorn Cemetery, Rockland, in late July.
