AUBURN – William Ray Havner Jr., 67, of Auburn, is celebrating his 68th birthday with the angels. Billy was born March 22, 1953 in Palastine, Texas. He passed away Dec. 6, 2020, at CMMC after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. with his family by his side.

“Billy Ray” was the son of William Ray Havner Sr, and Wilma Ruth (Brinegar) Havner but lovingly raised by his paternal grandmother, Emma Havner.

He attended schools in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, serving two tours with the U.S. Army, during the Vietnam and Cold War eras. Upon completion of his second tour, he relocated to Maine Feb. 4, 1988 to meet his penpal, Helena “Peggy” Darling. Upon arrival Billy said, “I think you should know; I’ve never lived in one place more than two or three years.” They were married Feb. 4, 1990, becoming Peggy’s “Misplaced Texan”, he resided on Stevens Mill Road for over 32 years until the angels came to call him home.

He was employed by Jones and Vining, Martindale Country Club and Cianbro until a back injury ended his career. He attended the USM, and graduated from Mid State College.

Billy had a strong faith in God, often being told by his family that he missed his calling and should have been a preacher, joking with him that some of his lengthy sermons might have been a problem for his congregations. With his vast knowledge of history, he gave cashiers a brief history lesson by converting the price of his purchase to a year, providing historical facts from that time frame. He studied astronomy and enjoyed the views of the night sky. ”There’s the moon!” he would say whenever he spotted it first. Billy enjoyed playing golf when able to do so, watching old westerns, golf, and football, especially the Patriots, and Dallas Cowboy games.

He loved spending time with his family, wishing he had more time to spend with those who lived further way. When given the opportunity, he paid his grandmother’s love and kindness forward by stepping up to help raise his great-niece, Carolyn Elder, developing a special kindred spirit bond with her. He also loved his great-nephew, Lukas Griffin, and recent trips to Caribou to see Lukas and his parents meant the world to him.

Billy leaves behind his wife Peggy, and their sons, Joey and Danny of Auburn, his son Tripp Havner and daughter Trisha Azlin of Texas; eight grandchildren, including Kadie and Kole Havner of Johnson City, Tenn; brothers, Robert Shipp, Kenny Lockhart of Texas; his recently found siblings, Ron Steel of Texas, Donna Kay Calhoun of Oklahoma, whom he never had the pleasure of meeting. Raised by his grandmother, he is also survived by sibling-aunts, June Gibbons, Judy Simmons, Jane Prather of Texas and Louisiana; sister-in-law, Dena Darling McBean of Avondale, Colo.; nieces, Jillian Elder and daughter Carolyn of Auburn; Erin McBean, (Dustin Griffin) and son Lukas of Caribou; best friends, Johnny Elliot of Texas, Gerorge Plourde and Carliss Pelletier of Lewiston, Brian McBean and Ron Martindale of Avondale, Colo.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins.

He was predeceased by his father; twin sisters, Sheila and Elaine Hanver; mother and stepfather Kenneth Lockhart Sr., grandma Emma Havner; sibling-aunt, Ida Cantrell, sibling-uncles, Roy, James and Roger Havner; mother and father-in-law, Carolyn and Verson Darling.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Glan and the staff at Togus and CMMC for their care and compassion.

At Billy’s request no services are being planned at this time. Rest in peace Billy, and know that our love for you shines brighter than the sun, and we will miss you more than the many stars that light up in the night sky. “There’s the moon, Billy!”, now you can see it all from a different angle.

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