BOSTON — William Arthur “Bill” Irving Sr., 65, of Gray, died Oct. 8 in Boston, while receiving treatment for lung cancer.

Bill was born April 9, 1945, in Portland, the son of William Elmore and Marie (Rose) Irving. He attended Portland elementary schools and Greely High School in Cumberland. Bill worked all his life in the masonry and construction trades; at T.E. Low in Yarmouth and later as a general contractor at H.E. Callahan in Auburn. His work always reflected his commitment to excellence.

Bill married Kathy Heinonen of Cumberland in 1963 and they raised two sons, William and Wesley. He married Patricia Gann Thornfeldt in 1988 and adopted two beautiful special needs children, Nathan Cronk and Victoria Irving.

Bill enjoyed car racing and raced at Beechwood Speedway in his early years. He was very proud of his son, William, who raced and excelled at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Bill enjoyed wintering at his home in Lehigh, Fla. and summers at his camp in Monson, with his wife, Pat. He enjoyed spending time with son, Wesley and brother, Jerry at camp working on various improvement projects. Some of his favorite times were spent playing cribbage and socializing with his many friends at the Café Sebago in Raymond.

William is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Patricia Irving of Gray; sons, Wesley Irving of New Gloucester and Nathan Cronk of Mechanic Falls; and daughter, Victoria Irving of Mechanic Falls; stepdaughters, Susan Thornfeldt and partner, Greg Dasche of Portland and Kristine and husband, Glen Lang of Sebago; stepson, Erik Thornfeldt and partner, Angie Stevens of Bryant Pond; a sister, Carol and her husband, Tom Low of Yarmouth; a brother, Gerald and wife, Cynthia Irving of Naples; daughter-in-law, Kelly Irving of Cumberland; grandchildren, Megan, William and Elizabeth Irving, Jared Randall and Paige Libby; and nephews, John Pray and his family, Keith Irving, Brett Irving and his family; and many cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his son, William Irving Jr.

To Bill, my husband and best friend, I miss you so. I’ll always love you!