William S. Buffington

LEWISTON – William S. Buffington, 81, of South Paris passed away on Monday, April 29, 2024, from a life well-lived at Central Maine Medical Center. He was born May 22, 1942, in Colebrook, N.H., to Elmer and Leora (Marsh) Buffington. Willie was the second of five children.

Willie met the love of his life, Crystal, while working construction in Gorham, Maine. They married in 1966 and resided in the Norway-Paris area. Willie got a job at C. B. Cummings until he started hauling house trailers in 1972 for Hardy’s and then Dick Webber at Northeast Housing. He started and opened his first business, Willie’s Repair in 1978. This business is still family operated and supporting 3rd generation family. Retirement was driving him crazy so Willie and Crystal built and opened self storage units. Willie also started Willie’s Enterprises, which included tractor work, snow plowing, and hauling gravel. Willie continued to volunteer at the Paris Fire Department and stayed busy and productive, right up to the end.

During his younger years, Willie spent a lot of time at Oxford Plains Speedway. He had 68 wins and earned 4-track championships in the figure-8 division. He even managed to win one of the crazy enduros. He earned the nickname “Captain Crunch” over the years and added a lot of fans and lifelong friendships during his 20 plus years of racing.

Willie joined the South Paris Fire Department in 1966. He volunteered for over 57 years, rising to the rank of Deputy Chief. Willie always gave his all in all situations. He would be the first to respond and the last to leave. He led by example, and never hesitated to step in and help. He was instrumental in fundraising for the department, coordinating “boot” drives, raffles, and the food shack at the fair.

Willie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Crystal (Fothergill) Buffington. She helped him navigate everything through out the years; his son Christopher Scott Buffington and his wife April of Paris; his daughter Angela Buffington of Lewiston; grandsons, Brandon, Nicholas and Matthew all of Paris; bonus grandson Ryan Thomas and his partner Rya of Norway; great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Marlee Buffington; special sisters-in-law Sharon Tate of Florida and Cheryl Coffman of Buckfield; brother James Buffington of Tennessee; sisters Eleanor and Floyd Ricker of Kentucky and Alberta Flanders of New Hampshire; and many special nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; and an older brother Robert of Tennessee.

Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 9:45 a.m., a Fireman’s send off/procession from Chandler Funeral Home, South Paris to Oxford Plains Speedway for one final lap will be followed by Graveside Services at 11 a.m. at Riverside Annex Cemetery, Paris Hill Road, South Paris. Family and friends may attend visitation on Friday, May 10, 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main St., South Paris.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Willie’s memory may be made to the Paris Firemen’s Relief Fund,

137 Western Avenue,

South Paris, ME 04281.