William Joseph Thyng, 78, of Waldoboro, passed away on Aug. 4.
William was born June 10, 1931 in Augusta to Elmer William Thyng and Katherine Margaret (Perham) Thyng, and was chosen one of Augusta’s “Cutest Babies” of 1931.
Bill graduated from Cony High School in Augusta in 1949, and following a year at the University of Maine-Orono, joined the Navy serving from 1951-1955. He studied what was then the new field of electronics and also served on the minesweeper Avenge. After his Navy service was over, he joined the GTE Sylvania Corporation in Waldoboro, working there from 1955 until his retirement in 1986.
He married Arlene Hayes on Feb. 1, 1953, in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., they later divorced. He married Greta “Pat” Spofford in Camden on July 4, 1978. Pat predeceased him on April 26, 2009.
Bill was a lifelong community citizen, serving at various times as a member of the local school board; President of the Lions Club; head of the library’s Annual Cook Book fundraiser; as an instructor for the Power Squadron teaching piloting, seamanship, and small boat handling; and on the Governing Board of the Broad Bay United Church of Christ. He and Pat also spent time as retirees on an Earth Watch Project in Montana – first as volunteers and then, in recognition of their skills, as staffers.
Bill was a lifelong learner. He earned his college degree late in life, and, in doing his usual perfectionist job on a project for an architecture class, designed and built a model of The Duomo that was selected for display at Columbia University’s architecture library.
Bill was known for his wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, intellectual curiosity, colorful expressions, love of Maine, skill as a woodworker, carpenter, designer, and photographer, and his keen interest in all kinds of people.
He is survived by his three daughters, Connie Thyng of Rockland, Kathy Thyng and husband Jim Beaulieu of Rockland, and Deb Thyng Schmidt and husband Doug Schmidt of Longmont, Col.; step-sons, Dana Spofford, of Waldoboro, and Todd Spofford of Waldoboro; grandchildren, Ken Belyea and Michael Belyea, both of Burlington, Vt., Sarah Schmidt and Amy Schmidt, both of Longmont, Col., Katie Beaulieu and Danielle Beaulieu, both of Rockland, Tiffany Spofford of Long Beach, Cal., Corey Spofford of Ft. Polk, La., and Eric Spofford and Rachel Spofford, both of Waldoboro; and step-great-grandchildren, Haley Spofford and Lucy Spofford, both of Long Beach, Cal.
Memorial gifts in Bill’s memory may be made to the Maine Alzheimer’s Disease Association, 163 Lancaster St., Suite 160B, Portland, ME 04101.
Celebration of Bill’s life 10 a.m., Fri., Aug. 14 at the Broad Bay UCC Church, Main St., Waldoboro, with Rev. Nancy Duncan officiating. Burial to follow at Brookland Cemetery, Waldoboro.
Sympathies to the family may be expressed through hallfh@myfairpoint.net.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
