BRIDGTON – William “Bill” Ernest Russ, 88, passed peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Bridgton Health Care Center with his daughter by his side.

He was born in Bardwell, Ky., on Oct. 11, 1917.

His loving wife of 50 years, Esm (Bunny) Brown Russ, died in August 1990.

Bill served his country for six years in the U.S. Army in a combat engineers unit, and was involved in the D-Day assault at Normandy and campaigns in Northern France, and the Rhineland for which he received three bronze stars. He later retired from U.S. Civil Service and worked several years for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Recreation as an Allagash Ranger.

Bill was a proficient mechanic, electrician, plumber and carpenter and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He rebuilt several vintage jeeps in his garage and delighted in sharing his knowledge with grandsons and sons-in-law in an effort to help them with their own projects. He could often be found at Naples Small Engines with Burpe and Richard Pond. He built his own home in Naples and was instrumental in the construction of several other homes for his daughters.

Bill greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing. He hunted with his son-in-law, Bruce, and grandson, Russ, in the North Maine Woods for many years and spent endless hours with his daughters, Pam, Sue and Betsy, trolling for salmon on Sebago Lake. He built a very special ice-fishing house and, with Cliff Quimby, spent many winters ice-fishing on Sebago. Family members spent many memorable weekends on the ice with Bill as well.

Many happy days were spent at family gatherings at Bill and Bunny’s house. Bill perfected the art of barbecuing spare-ribs and preparing bean hole beans’ in the bean hole that he and Ron built.

Grampy will be greatly missed by his daughters, Pamela Crawford, Susan McMahon and Betsy Kelly; five grandchildren, Sheryl, Matthew, Russ, Jaime and Jennifer; and three great-grandchildren, Paul, Chloe and Alivia. We are blessed to have loved and been loved by such a special man.