William Carnes Young, 82, of West Boothbay Harbor, formerly of Brunswick, died Dec. 5 at St. Andrew’s Hospital after several years of failing health.
He was born on Aug. 11, 1927 in Lynn, Mass., the son of William Carnes Sr., and Margaret (Casey) Young. Suspending his education to serve in WWII, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After the war, while stationed at Quonset Point NAS in Rhode Island during the Korean conflict, he met his future wife, Jane Gilmore Smith of Brunswick, who was then attached to the WAVES. They were married on May 4, 1957. Continuing his service in the Atlantic fleet, Bill saw tours of duty in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Following his retirement from active duty in 1966, he was employed in the aerospace industry, traveling to Vietnam and Thailand as a civilian contractor for RCA. Relocating to southern New Hampshire in 1968, Bill worked for Sanders Associates and Ford Aerospace. Upon his civilian retirement in 1990, he chose to settle permanently in Boothbay Harbor, which had long been a favored vacation spot.
Bill found delight in his pets and enjoyed bird watching and gardening. He was a lifelong fan of Boston’s professional sports teams, particularly the Red Sox and Patriots. A jazz aficionado, he cherished both an extensive collection of recordings and vivid memories of performances by luminaries of the genre, some of whom he had met personally backstage. Bill will be remembered not only for his outgoing personality and quick wit but above all for his love of the country he had been so proud to serve in uniform for so much of his life.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Jane; son, William S. of Boston, Mass., son and daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Terrence P., Cary C. and Katharine J. Young of Tampa, Fla.; friend and brother-in-law, Eugene T. Smith of Mere Point, Brunswick; as well as nieces and nephews in whom he always took a lively interest.
The family plans a memorial gathering in the summer.
Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, 27 Atlantic Highway, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
Arrangements are by Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.
