1922 – 2015

FARMINGTON — Hollis Blaine Mosher, known by most as “Bill,” 92, of Temple, began his journey and passed away peacefully at 5 a.m. (typically the time he would start his day) Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Sandy River Center for Health Care and Rehabilitation, following a long illness.

At the time of his passing, he was the oldest living native resident of Temple, born there on July 23, 1922, a son of Mark H. and Clara (Cony) Mosher, who predeceased him from complications of childbirth when he was four months old. He was lovingly raised by his father’s second wife, Marie (Carr) Mosher.

He received his education in Temple schools and worked for his dad, prior to serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon returning from the war, he married Natalie Lillian Reed on July 20, 1947, in Lewiston. The officiating clergy was the Rev. Wallace Harris, a brother-in-law of his bride. He was predeceased by his wife on Jan. 6, 2011, four years and four days prior to his own passing.

He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed his lifelong career as a self-employed lumberman. After his father’s passing, he and his brother and sister continued to run the family business, known as Co-Operative Land Company. In his earlier years, along with his father and brother, he also built new and remodeled old houses in the town of Temple, as well as owning and running the brickyard in West Farmington.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who also took great pride in his beloved hometown, serving as the town’s first fire chief and as a selectman for many years. He also enjoyed the game of baseball and managed to combine his love of the sport and his town, serving as the catcher for the Temple Townies.

He was never idle. Truly a member of the “greatest generation,” he always made time to help his neighbors, either splitting wood, snowblowing their driveways, giving produce from his meticulously maintained gardens or simply perceiving needs and acting generously with his time and talents.

While his family was growing, he enjoyed hunting and snowmobiling. Many outings included stopping on the trail for hot cocoa or grilling hot dogs, and concluded with his wife’s homemade baked beans in their home, kept toasty warm with his wood fires.

He was a loyal New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan.

He is survived by his loving and grateful children and their families: Richard B. Mosher and his wife, Kim, of Temple and their daughters, Amanda Duckett and her husband, Ian, of Fairfax, Vt., and Vanessa Mosher of Temple; Reed Mosher and his wife, Loanne, of Vicksburg, Miss., and their son, Mark Mosher, of Vicksburg, Miss.; and Kathlyn Childs and her husband, Peter, of Temple and their sons, Matthew Childs and his companion, Thia Sinkinson, of Temple and Nathan Childs and his fiancée, Brandy Degone, and their daughter, Emma Childs, of Temple.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Bruce Mosher and Doris Coombs.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.