William Merrill

WINTHROP – It is with extreme sadness that we announce the death of Bill, our brave cancer warrior, after his courageous battle with multiple myeloma.

Bill was born in Gloversville, N.Y. to Ruth and Bill, Sr. where he spent his early years. He met and married the girl across the street, Cathy Cunningham, a marriage that lasted 57 years.

After his college graduation, Bill spent many years working in manufacturing quality control management. During his career he worked for several different companies including General Electric, Digital and Edwards. With these career moves from Illinois to Maine and places in between, lifelong friendships were made all along the way.

Bill had an adventurous soul and was happiest when hunting, fishing or camping with family and friends. Whether it was the Adirondacks, the North Woods of Maine or deep sea fishing in Eastport, good times were had by all. Bar Harbor Campground was a second home, camping there for over 50 years. Good times were also had at camp on Maranacook Lake. He also found great pleasure in motorcycles. He started with dirt biking, but soon graduated to trips on his Honda Gold Wing.

Bill had a gift for fixing, designing and building. He designed and had built his dream house on Maranacook. He actually rebuilt a MGA that came in two big boxes. He cut and planed lumber to rebuild the barn on his property. He was also a master of building and fixing computers.

Bill is survived by his wife, Cathy; daughter, Melinda Thibeault and husband, Paul, son, Josh Merrill and wife, Caitlin; grandchildren, Sam Thibeault, Madeleine Thibeault, Claire Merrill and Grace Merrill; brother, Gary Merrill and wife, Sharon; his nephew, Jim Merrill and wife, Marie, nieces Tina Winters, and husband, Craig, Trista Merrill and husband, Jonathan Biddle; grandnephews Zach Winters and Daniel Winters; many Kucel, Dingman and Hale cousins in upstate New York.

Thank you to Dr. Polkinghorn and his caring staff at Alfond Cancer Center. We would also like to thank Maine General Hospice for their help to our family. A very special thank you to Dr. Dohnor and his staff for the support throughout Bill’s illness.

A private celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date.

Any donation to the mentioned organizations in Bill’s name would be greatly appreciated.