AUBURN – Dr. Charles W. “Bill” Hersey, 84, of Rumford Center, and a resident of Schooner Estates on Stetson Road, died Tuesday, April 14, surrounded by his family.

He was born June 27, 1924, in North Waterford, the seventh child of farmer Charles A. and Carrie (Kingsbury) Hersey. He graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1941, attended the University of Rhode Island and graduated in 1946 from Ohio State University with a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He has been married for 62 years to the former Jean Howard of Columbus, Ohio.

He practiced veterinary medicine in both Bridgton and Fryeburg. In 1957, he moved to Rumford Center, where he operated the Rumford Veterinary Hospital until his retirement in 1979. He was the executive director of the Maine Veterinary Association for 15 years, where he founded the scholarship programs for Maine students interested in pursuing veterinary medicine.

He served as fire chief of the Rumford Center Fire Department until it merged with the Rumford Department. He served as sexton of the Rumford Center Cemetery, where he will be buried. He was also active in town affairs, serving on the Rumford Finance Committee for many years. He was chairman of the Planning Board, and a member of the Appeals Board.

He served on the school building committee that built the present Mountain Valley High School. For 49 years, he was an active member of the Rumford United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees.

For 18 years, he filled a seat on the district committee for ministry. In Rumford, he was treasurer of Blazing Star Masonic Lodge, and an active member of the Service Corps of Retired Executives, Rumford Historical Society, and the Duplicate Bridge Club.

He owned and operated a certified Maine Tree Farm for more than 40 years. He volunteered as an unpaid tax aide for the last five years. He loved gardening, photography, woodwork, and animals.

He is survived by his wife, Jean of Auburn; their three sons, James of Vienna, Va., David and wife, Vickie, of Springfield, Mo., and Iain of Glendale, Calif.; one daughter, Jane Chandler and husband, Jim, of Woodstock; grandchildren include Ben, Matt, Beth, Stephen and Janice Hersey, Jeff and Becky Chandler; great-grandchildren include Mehgan, Alexis, Josiah and Jack Hersey.

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