William Owen Travers, Jr., of Waldoboro, and formerly Concord, Mass., passed away at Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta on Oct. 27 after a long illness.
He was born in Worcester, Mass. on Oct. 30, 1923, the son of William O. Travers and Yvette Morin. He was the loving husband of Jean Travers.
Bill was a graduate of Clark University and earned his Master of Arts degree in English from Middlebury College.
In 1942, he joined the Navy’s V-12 training program and subsequently served on PT boats in the Philippines during WWII, and served again in the Korean War. He later joined the Navy Reserves, ending his Naval career with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Bill spent the majority of his professional career as an English teacher, serving the students of The Fenn School in Concord, Mass. for 25 years and later, Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.
His love of literature and the theater carried far beyond his teaching career. He was a talented actor, and acted in and directed many productions with community theater groups, including The Concord Players and Lincoln County Community Players. He was directly involved in the revitalization of the Waldo Theater, serving as president of the Board of Directors. He also wrote reviews of Camden Shakespeare Company’s productions for the Portland Press Herald.
Bill was a very civic-minded individual. He was involved in many community groups, including roles as former president of the Lions Club and Waldoboro Historical Society; served on the Waldoboro Public Library Board of Directors; and was a member of the Waldoboro Long Term Planning and Land Use Committees. He was a founding member, deacon, trustee and moderator of the Broad Bay Congregational Church in Waldoboro.
Bill was also a great lover of dogs. His favorite breeds were the Yellow Labrador and the Chinook.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Travers; daughter, Kathy Bittner of Jefferson; son, Rob Travers of Acton, Mass.; and grandsons, Adam Bittner of Los Angeles, Cal., and Paul and Mark Travers of Acton, Mass. Bill was extremely proud of his grandsons.
Service celebrating his life 11 a.m., Mon., Nov. 6 at the Broad Bay Congregational Church in Waldoboro. Burial will follow at Dutch Neck Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Broad Bay Congregational Church, P.O. Box 191, Waldoboro, ME 04572 or Waldo Theater, P.O. Box 587, Waldoboro, ME 04572.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
