BENTON – William Linwood Tyler, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at Inland Hospital in Waterville, at the age of 104 years old. He was born on Jan. 11, 1899, in Winslow, a son of Ervin and Hattie (Webber) Tyler. He attended Winslow schools and married his sweetheart, Elsie Harrison in New Hampshire in 1923. He lived in Fairfield and Freedom before making his home with his daughter, Alice, 18 years ago. Bill spent most of his life as a woodsman, from his childhood days, he loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and had hunting dogs. He served in the U.S. Navy, on the Mt. Vernon during World War I. He was a lifetime member of the Fairfield VFW Post No. 6924 and the Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post No. 5 in Waterville. He was the oldest World War I veteran in Maine and was proud to have served his country. He holds the Boston Post Cane for being the oldest resident in Benton. Bill loved to spend time with his family and friends and was respected and loved by all that knew him. Along with his wife, he was predeceased by two daughters, Hattie and Velma; a sister, Ella Adams; brothers, Clarence Tyler Sr. and Ernest Tyler; son-in-laws, LeBaron Alexander, Walter Gogan and Rod Dooley; nieces and nephews; special thanks to Dr. Charles Keigle; and the staff at Inland Hospital. He is survived by his two daughters, Alice Alexander of Benton and Ella Dooley of Bangor; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren, one step-great-great-grandchild, nieces and nephews and a special nephew, Ervin Tyler, who took Uncle Bill his favorite snacks on a weekly basis. Visiting hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at the Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield, where members of the Bourque Lanigan American Legion Post No. 5 are invited to gather for a service at 7:15 p.m. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Jack Quigg officiating. Burial will be in the spring at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Freedom. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Benton Falls Congregational Church, care of David Gagnon, 239 Eames Road, Benton, ME 04901.
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ TYLER
