MEXICO – Mr. William L. “Bill” Petrie, 82, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. He resided on Middle Avenue in Mexico.

Born in Rumford, on Oct. 12, 1938, he was the son of Leo and Laura (Ross) Petrie. He graduated from Mexico High School and studied Mechanical Engineering at Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana.

He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a Ground Radio Equipment Repairman from 1961 to 1965 attaining the rank of Airman 2nd Class. He served at several Air Force bases including a tour in Ankara, Turkey. Bill worked for 44 years in the paper mill in Rumford until his retirement, the last 35 years in the Meter Department. As a retiree, Bill took on a part-time job at Sunday River and was known as “Basket Check Bill” which allowed him to pursue his favorite hobby of skiing. Bill’s greatest joy came from time spent with his family and serving in his community.

Living in a region dominated with Patriots and Giants fans, Dad cheered on the Rams, whether they be in Los Angeles or St. Louis. He had the chance to see his beloved team play live three times, twice in New England, and once on a memorable trip to Kansas City with his son.

Bill was quite a football player himself. He was chosen as an All-State Offensive Tackle in 1955. He went to prep school at Maine Central Institute where his 1956 team went undefeated, untied, and unscored upon. He was offered a full scholarship to Columbia University for the fall of 1957 but turned it down for the safety and security of a job at the Rumford Mill. Dad’s love of the game and local sports showed as he was a founding member of the Rumford Area Youth Football League and served as President of the Mexico High School Athletic Boosters.

Bill was a Communicant of the Parish of the Holy Savior St. Athanasius St. John Church. He was an active member of the Lion’s Club having served in many capacities such as King Lion and District Commander in his 45-plus-year membership. He was 55-year member of the Napoleon Ouellette Post #24, American Legion where he served two terms as Commander. Bill’s commitment and dedication to his beloved hometown was recognized in 2007 when he was selected as the Citizen of the Year for the town of Mexico.

What many will remember about Bill was his calm, humble, strength that would always shine through. When diabetes destroyed his left foot, he relearned how to walk with a large boot and stayed active. When he was paralyzed from the waist down in March of 2020, he handled it with grace and dignity. Many of the nurses and caregivers that aided him remarked at what an incredibly positive attitude he carried with him. Bill never felt sorry for himself. He would often say, “Who am I to complain?” and would often comment how he felt so bad for children who were born with disabilities and how many would never get to do all of the wonderful things he had done in his life.

Bill was married in Mexico, Mane, on June 13, 1964, to Linda Epps who survives of Mexico. Other survivors include a son, Lee and his wife Jeannie of Kittery; a daughter, Jill Herrick and her husband James of Cibolo, Texas, grandchildren, Trish Jardine, Samantha Prime, Tem Petrie, Molly Herrick, William Herrick, great-grandchildren, Makayla and Ava Jardine, Cohen, Aspen, Charlotte and Maverick Prime.

He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Howard Thurston.

Bill’s family would like to express sincere thanks to the staff at the Rumford Community Home, the nurses at Rumford Community Hospital and Maine Medical Center, and the ICU Staff at CMMC for the kindness, compassion, and dignity they bestowed upon Bill while he was under their care.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at http://www.meaderandson.com.

Friends and family are invited to call at the Meader and Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St., Rumford, on Thursday, February 11, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Masks are required and we will be following Social Distancing guidelines. Due to COVID restrictions, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by invitation only.

Interment in the spring will be in the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sanford.

Those who desire may contribute to the Rumford / Mexico Lion’s Club,

33 Roxbury Rd,

Mexico, ME 04257,

or to

St Jude Children’s Hospital

262 Danny Thomas Place,

Memphis, TN 38105

in his memory.

Copy the Story Link