AUGUSTA — Earland W. Masterman, 88, of Weld, died peacefully with his wife and family by his side at the Maine Veterans’ Home on Friday evening, Oct. 28.

He was born Sept. 28, 1923, in Weld, the son of Algie and Carroll Smith Masterman. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Roland Plaisted, until his mom died. At that time, Ray and Althea Jenne took him under their wings until his graduation from Weld High School in 1941.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of 19 and was the youngest air cadet wherever he traveled. Mastering the pilot trainer biplane in Texas, he went on to Edwards AFB in California to re-engineer the P38 aircraft used in the Pacific Theater.

Settling down in Hollywood, Calif., after the war, he was called back to Weld when grandfather Bert fell ill. There he met and married the love of his life, our mother, Olene “Lee,” in 1949. Together they raised three sons and three daughters in Wilton and Weld.

He spent his career at International Paper Co., working at all points along the Androscoggin River in Livermore Falls, Chisholm and Jay. He was a highly respected, valuable and knowledgeable millwright. His wife was a stay-at-home mom, and the entire family farmed and gardened together for many years.

After retiring, he and his wife enjoyed several years of traveling, splitting their years between Florida and Weld, always making new friends along the journey. Earland was an avid amateur photographer, family historian, professional putterer, cane maker, part-time farmer, tall-tale teller, girl teaser, practical joker, town historian, former invaluable member of the “hysterical society” and, most importantly, the eternal rock of his family. He will long be remembered for his sense of humor, responsibility and unfailing honor. He spent many hours appreciating his membership in the Weld Historical Society.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Lee; son, Steven Masterman and his wife, Kathy; daughter, Joan Masterman, all of Weld; daughter, Kathleen Masterman and husband, Warren Elliott, of Dryden, daughter, Cheryl Adams and husband, Kevin, of Wilton; son, Ronald Masterman and wife, Maryann, of Zebulon, N.C.; his grandchildren, Tess Murphy, Shanna Dorey and Bryce Masterman; several step-grandchildren; his great-grandchildren, Emaline Dorey, Kathryn Dorey, Charlie Murphy and Earland Murphy; and several step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Gladys Shink and husband, Bernard, of Jay, Harold Smith and wife, Ginnette, of Canada and Chery Smith of Canada; lifelong friend, Rusty Lee and his wife, Donna, of Weld; numerous nieces and nephews; and oodles of close acquaintances and friends — “you know who you are and that you are loved.”

He was predeceased by his parents; his youngest son, Robert Masterman; his siblings, Ruth Robinson and her husband, Verne, Carl Plaisted and his wife, Shirley, Esther Howard and her husband, Elwin, Ethel Fillion and her husband, Joseph, Bernard Plaisted and his wife, Dottie, Bessie McIntire and her husband, Don, Beverly Packard and her husband, Ernest, James Smith, Donald Smith, Marie Smith, Floyd Smith and Raymond Smith.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.