PORTLAND — William “Bill” Draper, 64, of Gray, a retired Maine State Trooper, died on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Maine Medical Center, following a brief illness.

He was born in Bangor on March 23, 1946, the son of Ashley and Neota (Wise) Draper. Bill was one of four brothers and one sister who graduated from Piscataquis Regional High School, Class of 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with the 814th Engineering Company in Vietnam until he was honorably discharged in 1968. Bill then graduated from the Maine State Police Academy in Waterville in 1974 and worked as a Maine State Trooper for 20 years.

He patrolled the state of Maine for 12 years, worked for four years in the Maine Drug Unit and four years as a homicide detective. On May 12, 1990, Bill married the love of his life, Laurie (Allen) Draper. After his retirement from the Maine State Police, he drove a tractor trailer, hauling logs for Thorndike and Sons, Inc., in Avon, from 1994-2003. Bill and his wife moved to Gray in 2004, where he drove a tanker truck hauling gasoline to service stations for Irving Oil Company. In 2008, he drove for K.C. Trucking, Inc., hauling double trailers for FedEX Ground, from their local terminal in Saco to the hub in Connecticut.

Bill’s favorite pastimes were eating breakfast, reading magazines, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

He was a member of the Maine State Troopers Association, Retired Truckers Association, and the American Legion Post in Gray.

Besides his wife of 20 years, he leaves a son, Christopher, and his wife, Mary Ladd of Boulder, Colo.; two daughters, Jodie Ladd of Quincy, Mass., and Kristin Draper of Bath; three brothers, Michael Draper and his wife, Roberta, Steven Draper and his wife, Rae, and Paul Draper and his wife, Elaine, all of Guilford; and two grandchildren, Charley Belle Ladd and Nathanial Benoit.

Bill is predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Ashlee Martel.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to leave a tribute in memory of Bill Draper.