1907 – 2003

RUMFORD CENTER – Wilder V. Kimball Jr., died Oct. 25, two days after his 96th birthday.

Born at his home in Rumford Center, Oct. 23, 1907, the son of Susan Graham and Wilder Virgil Kimball Sr., he graduated from Stephens High School, attended Exeter Academy and graduated from Bates College in 1931.

He married Grace Helen Welch of Rumford on June 18, 1938. He was the fifth generation to operate Kimball Farm, settled by Moses Kimball in 1785. It was designated a National Bicentennial Farm. He served as fence-viewer for Rumford, was a town cribbage champion, a member of several bridge clubs, an enthusiastic and skilled croquet player and a trapper for 90 years.

He was a charter member of the Rumford Point Men’s Club and an 82-year member of the Rumford Center Grange. In 1995 he received the State of Maine Grange Farm Family Award.

Survivors include his daughter, Gay and her husband, Alvin Gamage of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; a son, David Virgil Kimball and his wife, Ann of Rumford Center; five grandchildren, Evaline Gamage of Bloomington, Ind., Rawson Nathaniel Gamage of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and his fiancée, Kristina Rodriguez of New York City, N.Y., David Wilder Kimball of Chesapeake City, Md., Mrs. Cliff (Susan Kimball) Perkins of Stoughton, Mass., and Mrs. Timothy (Catherine Kimball) Harris of Parker, Colo.; a niece, Mrs. Robert (Barbara Moore) Lucas of Bethel; a great-niece; three great-great-nieces; and nephews; and four great-great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife; and two sisters, Mrs. Nahum (Dorothy Kimball) Moore and Evaline Kimball, both of Bethel.