AUBURN – Joseph J. L. Bilier, 81, of 87 Sixth St., Auburn, died at his home on Wednesday, April 30, surrounded by his family.

He was born on June 15, 1926, in Ashland, the son of John and Laura Cyr Bilier. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 4, 1944, and served in the South Pacific, Luzon in the Philippines Islands, and then onto Japan. He served four years and received an honorable discharge in Nov. 23, 1948.

In October 1948, he married Gloria “Min” Fortin at St. Louis Church in Auburn. He fulfilled his dream by learning to drive 18-wheelers for Neil’s Bakery Transport.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years; one daughter, Laura and husband, Richard Asselin, of Lewiston; two sons, Lenny and wife, Kathy, of Lewiston and Danny and wife, Linda, of Chapin, S.C.; 10 grandchildren, Richard Asselin Jr. and fiancée, Rose Edwards, of Sabattus, Lisa Jean and husband, Denis, of Lewiston, Cherie Asselin and fiancée, Jay Reynolds, of Auburn, Jerry Asselin and wife, Darleen, of Lewiston, Carol Asselin and fiancée, Jason Parlin, of Livermore, Lynn Bilier and companion, A.J. Carmichael, of Lewiston, Kylie Bilier of Oxford, Danielle Bilier of South Carolina, Kimberly Nutting of Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and Kyla Nutting of Lewiston; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by one brother, Edgar; and an infant daughter, Carol.