LEWISTON – William Thomas Rioux, a resident of Lewiston, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Jan. 16, 2022. Bill grew up in a closely woven family with five brothers and a sister. From his earliest days he displayed a great fascination with the world around him especially in the field of chemistry. He once explained to one of his daughters that the very first time he opened a chemistry book, he knew clearly what he wanted to do with his life. Chemistry, math, and physics came easily to him. He was tirelessly engaged in distilling down complicated problems into their most essential elements.After graduating from the University of Maine, Bill worked as a chemist for Pioneer Plastics, where he invented eleven different polymers. On occasion, he would bring home interesting plastic samples for his four children to play with and encouraged their imagination as to how they could be used.He received a lifetime achievement award from Governor Baldacci for his work. The greatest lesson Bill taught his children was the simple message: “God is Love.”Bill was the son of Willie and Germaine Rioux, and brother to sister, Jean Hall, brothers, Phil, Mike, Mark, Denis, and Steve Rioux. He was father to Christina Mattola, Bethany Eling, Benjamin Rioux and Jonathan Rioux and grandfather to Isaiah, Owen, Roman and Marius.The family would like to thank the staff at Russell Park for the loving care they gave to Bill. It is greatly appreciated.Visitation will be held at Pinette, Dillingham and Lynch funeral home, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston at 9 a.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. A memorial Mass will follow at Holy Family Catholic Church at 11 AM. Committal prayers to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.lynchbrothers.com.

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