LEWISTON – Willian D. Ellery, 77, of Broadview Avenue, Auburn, died Sunday, Oct. 5, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center after a short, courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on Nov. 26, 1930, in Mechanic Falls, the son of George and Mary Bridge Ellery. He was a graduate of Mechanic Falls High School and served his country in the U. S. Coast Guard.

Bill was employed at Advance Auto Sales in Auburn for more than 40 years, performing autobody work and managing the parts department and driving the shuttle before retiring. He married Cecile Ducharme in 1955, raising his family in Auburn with her until her death in 1980. In 1988, he married his “best friend,” June Bowman, who he had known since childhood.

He loved to fish, especially for trout, and kept maps on the wall marked with all his favorite spots. He was extremely proud of his home and meticulously cared for it and the gardens that he and June kept. He loved to play cribbage and taught his grandchildren to love the game as well.

He is survived by June Bowman of Auburn: daughters, Janice Ellery of Coconut Creek, Fla., and Lisa Wing of Oxford; grandchildren, Courtney and Justin St. Pierre of Oxford and Mary Wing of Oxford; and brother, Robert Ellery and his wife, Barbara, of Poland.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Cecile; three sisters, Ruth, Lois and Esther; and an infant son, David William.