WINTHROP – William John Haefele, 84, of Winthrop died Thursday, Nov. 15, at his home with his family by his side.

He was born Jan. 30, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pa., the son of William and Rachel Viola (Thomas) Haefele of Paulsboro, N.J.

After graduating from Winthrop High School in 1940, he entered the Army Air Corps’ flying school and was assigned to fly a P-47 Thunderbolt. He was a part of the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, in World War II. His active duty status ended in 1945. He returned home to start his career at Wilson’s Dollar Stores and marry Ann Wilson, who he was married to for 17 years.

On Dec. 30, 1963, he married Barbara Jean Roberts Gordon, who was the love of his life.

Bill was owner and president of Wilson’s Dollar Stores, which had locations in Winthrop, Gardiner, Auburn, Norway, Livermore Falls, Ellsworth and Lincoln. He also owned and operated The Country Store in Trenton until his retirement in January 2005.

He loved to ballroom dance with Barbara and play cribbage with his family. He and Barbara, along with their best friends, Carlton and Lucille Roberts, spent countless hours flying, fishing and hunting at their camps at Northeast Carry at Moosehead Lake, East Grand Lake and Buttermilk Pond. He was passionate about flying and enjoyed sharing stories of his life experiences with others. He was a member of the Winthrop Flying Club and Winthrop 10 Pin League.

He was active in town politics and did extensive research on town issues. He was a past member of the Winthrop Planning Board, Winthrop Town Council, and also served as chairman of the Winthrop Landfill and Winthrop Urban Renewal Plan committees.

He was also a member of the Winthrop Business Guild, Maine Merchant Insurance Trust, Maine Merchant Shippers Co-op, was director of Maine Merchant Association, and was chosen as Maine Merchant Retailer of the Year in 1982.

He was a lifetime member of the Alfred W. Maxwell Jr. American Legion Post 40 and the Winthrop Lions Club, serving as King Lion in 1984 to 1985, a member of the Winthrop Grange and Masonic Temple 25 in Winthrop, and was past treasurer of the Winthrop United Methodist Church.

He is survived by eight children, William G. Haefele of Carrabassett Valley and Trenton, Carol H. Malmsten and Larry, of Winthrop, John Haefele and Julie, of Winthrop, Jeff Gordon and Kathy, of Galway, N.Y., Tina Burnham and Mike, of Winthrop, George Jeffery Shaw and Ruth, of Saco, Thomas Haefele and Marguerite, of South Monmouth and Sandy Steele and Jim, of Winthrop; one brother, Robert T. Haefele and Joanne, of Voorhees, N.J.; 19 grandchildren, Keven Haefele, Kellie Haefele, Andrea Malmsten Lindmark and her husband, Brian, Kale Malmsten, Joshua Haefele and his wife. Allison, Chad Haefele and his fiancé, Kate Imbruno, Kayla Haefele, Justin, Robert and Tim Gordon, Melissa Burnham and her fiancé, Steve Barter, Joey Burnham, Chip Burnham, Andrew, Connor and Olivia Shaw, and Zachary, Spencer, and Ian Steele; his great-grandchildren, Tyler, Brendan and Zachary Lindmark; and his loyal canine companions, Gideon and Sheeby, whom he loved dearly and who were always at his side.

He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, of 36 years; his parents; and three granddaughters, Abigail, Ellie and Faith Steele.