Wilbur “Bill” Preston Whittier, 80, of Warren, passed away Feb. 4 at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport.
He was born Feb. 19, 1926, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and raised in Essex, Mass., a son of the late George and Anna (Jenkins) Whittier.
In 1943, he worked as a delivery truck driver in Beverly, Mass.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps. on Nov. 30, 1943, at the age of 17. He served in WWII in the Second Marine Division as an infantryman. He participated in the battle and conquest of the heavily defended islands of Saipan and Tinian, for which he received a Presidential Unit Citation. He was most, and rightfully proud of his military service and the sacrifice of others, including the loss of his only brother, George Whittier, shot down in his B-25 Bomber over New Guinea in June 1944. After the war he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Alaska for two years.
He held many various positions over the years. He was a production supervisor for CBS Broadcasting in Massachusetts from 1950-1956, and worked for Eastern Airlines for several years in Massachusetts and eventually in Owls Head.
Bill moved with his family to Vinalhaven for 10 years. While on the island he served as the Town Warden, Harbormaster, and Constable, and worked as a lobsterman and in other fishing industries. He greatly enjoyed his time on the island.
In 1967, he moved to Thomaston and was employed as a correction officer at the Maine State Prison until his retirement in 1983. During this time he also worked as a reserve Deputy Sheriff.
Upon his retirement, Bill moved to Homosassa, Fla., where he bought a home and lived for some years working part time in security. He eventually settled in the mountains of Blairsville, Ga., where he remained until a year ago when he returned to Maine due to health concerns and to be near his family. He lived in Warren until the time of his death.
Bill enjoyed long drives, dining out, and spending time with family and friends. He possessed a great sense of humor and quick wit, and enjoyed practical jokes.
Bill was a proud veteran, a good man and a loving father. He maintained his dignity and sense of humor right to the end. He had a kind and gentle soul and will be missed dearly by his family, friends and all that knew him.
Bill is survived by a son, Daniel Whittier of Waldoboro and his children, Kelsey, Katlyn, and Tasia; daughter, Laurie Southard of Rockland and her children Ashley, Tyler, and Jade; great-grandchild, Tristan; and sister, Edith Gagnon of North Conway, N.H., and her children, Charles Gagnon and Carolyn Holbrook.
Services will be held in June at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.
Arrangements will be announced by Coast of Maine Cremation and Funeral Service, Waldoboro.
