ORONO – William A. Oliver, 79, died Sept. 25, 2007, surrounded by his family, at a Bangor hospital. He was born April 13, 1928, in Scranton, Pa., the son of William and Lulu (Pepperman) Oliver. Bill attended schools in Zanesville, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Presque Isle and Orono. He graduated from Orono High School and the University of Maine at Orono with a master’s degree in education. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War and was proud to serve with the U.S. Marine Band. He was a teacher and coach in Turner, Fort Kent, New Paltz, N.Y., Bangor and Hampden for 15 years. He retired from the University of Maine, where he served 21 years as associate director of the continuing education division and summer session. He was a member of the Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono, and served six years as a selectman for the town of Orono and two years as chairman. He was a lifetime member of the Second Marine Division Association, a lifetime member of the Penobscot Valley Country Club, a member of Mechanic’s Lodge No. 66 AF & AM, Orono, where he served as master in 1976. He also served as district deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Maine from 1977 to 1979. He was appointed assistant grand lecturer in 1980 and served until 1984. In May 1984, he was elected grand senior warden of the Grand Lodge of Maine, where he was a permanent member. He served as most wise master of the Rose Croix Degree of the Scottish Rite Valley of Bangor and was also a member of the York Rites. Bill was a member of Anah Shriners, where he was appointed outer guard by Potentate Harold Chute in 1981 and served as potentate in 1991. Ill. Brother William was coroneted a sovereign grand inspector general, 33 degree, honorary member of the supreme council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the U.S.A. Aug. 29, 2006, in Chicago. He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Doten) Oliver of Orono; two daughters and their husbands, Sharon Oliver and Robert Spencer Jr. of Bangor, Susan Oliver and Neil Laffely of Gallatin, Tenn.; one sister and her husband, Janet and Donald MacIntosh of Northeast Harbor; brother-in-law and his wife, Herbert and Patricia Doten of Augusta; one special grandson, Gareth Oliver Laffely; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at Brookings-Smith, LaBeau Chapel, 72 Main St., Orono, where a Masonic memorial service will be conducted 7:45 p.m. by the officers and members of Mechanics Lodge No. 66 of Orono. A service of remembrance will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono, with the Rev. Lorna Stuart, pastor, celebrant. Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the William A. Oliver Fund, care of University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
WILLIAM A. OLIVER
