BUCKSPORT – Philip N. “Norman” Willette, 81, passed away Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, of natural causes. He was born July 24, 1925, to Arthur and Annie Ouellette of East Millinocket. He attended Schenck High School, where he graduated with honors. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served proudly on the USS Maddox, DD-731, during World War II. After the war he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, where he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. Norman reentered the Navy at the outbreak of the Korean War and served proudly on the USS Vogelgesang, DD-862, as a commissioned officer with the rank of lieutenant junior grade. Upon completion of his service to the Navy, he returned to Maine and worked in the paper industry as an engineer. In 1965 he moved his family to Bucksport and worked for St. Regis Paper Co. In 1980 he accepted a position with the SD Warren Paper Co., as an engineer in their Hinckley facility during the expansion period at that mill; he retired in the late ’80s. He enjoyed playing golf with his wife, Vilma and was active in the St. Vincent DePaul chapter of the Knights of Columbus. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Vilma P. Willette; and his older brother, Joseph Ouellette of Millinocket. He is survived by his three children, daughter, Davida Willette of Bucksport, daughter, Dani Keith of Bangor and son, Phil Willette of Tampa Fla.; granddaughters, Krista and Katie Jewell of Bangor and grandson, Tyler Jewell; sister, Doris Jamo of Millinocket; and brother, James Ouellette of Middletown, N.J.; as well as the countless friends he made through life. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, Bucksport, with internment in the spring at Silver Lake Cemetery, where he will be laid next to his wife, Vilma. Arrangements by Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport.
PHILIP N. ‘NORMAN’ WILLETTE
