AUBURN — William J. Pendleton, 79, of Auburn, went to meet his Lord on Wednesday, June 2, after a short illness.

During his final days, he was surrounded by many people who had come to know him and love him over the years. He died peacefully, at home, after being visited by those who meant the most to him.

He was born Oct. 6, 1931 in Westbrook, the son of Richard H. and Lena Ahearn Pendleton. After living many years at Pineland, he lived with Ada and Fred Sawyer and their family in Mechanic Falls for more than 20 years. After the elder Sawyers passed away, he moved to a group home in West Paris, but continued a friendship with the Sawyer’s son, Robert, who he considered a family member, all of his remaining years.

In recent years, he lived in Auburn at the Court Street Senior Housing and finally at 58 Academy St., where he lived until his death. He attended many churches over the years but was finally reunited with his Catholic faith heritage, which meant so much to him. He loved the Lord and attending Mass.

He received services from several agencies during his lifetime, including, Medical Care Development, Pottleworks, the Progress Center, Lutherans and Creative Works Systems, who provided staffing in his home and day program services for the past several years.

He enjoyed many activities, including dancing, singing, camping, bowling, fishing, Special Olympics and watching sporting events. He loved people and enjoyed telling elaborate stories that were sometimes true and sometimes concocted, to get a rise out of his friends. He had beautiful brown eyes which he loved to flash at the pretty girls. He was a joy to spend time with and brought much happiness to most everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his many friends and all of the staff who have cared for him over the years.

He was predeceased by his parents and it is believed, a brother, Clarence, whose last known address was in Georgia.

Many thanks are given to the Androscoggin Hospice Team, who helped care for him during his final days.