WILLIAM JOHN HAEFELE

WINTHROP – William John Haefele, 84, died Thursday morning, Nov. 15, 2007, with his family by his side, at his home. He was born Jan 30, 1923, in Philadelphia, the son of William and Rachel Viola (Thomas) Haefele of Paulsboro, N.J. After graduating from Winthrop High School in 1940, he entered the Army Air Corps’ flying school and was assigned to fly a P-47 Thunderbolt. He was a part of the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, in World War II. His active duty status ended in 1945. He returned home to start his career at Wilson’s Dollar Stores and marry Ann Wilson, who he was married to for 17 years. On Dec. 30, 1963, he married Barbara Jean Roberts Gordon, who was the love of his life. Bill was owner and president of Wilson’s Dollar Stores, which had locations in Winthrop, Gardiner, Auburn, Norway, Livermore Falls, Ellsworth and Lincoln. He also owned and operated The Country Store, Trenton, until his retirement in January 2005. Bill loved to ballroom dance with Barbara and play cribbage with his family. He and Barbara, along with their best friends, Carlton and Lucille Roberts, spent countless hours flying, fishing and hunting at their camps at Northeast Carry on Moosehead Lake, East Grand Lake and Buttermilk Pond. He was passionate about flying and enjoyed sharing stories of his life experiences with others. He was a member of Winthrop Flying Club and Winthrop 10 Pin League. He was active in town politics and did extensive research on town issues. He was a past member of the Winthrop Planning Board, Winthrop Town Council and also served as chairman of the Winthrop Landfill and Winthrop Urban Renewal Plan committees. He was also a member of Winthrop Business Guild, Maine Merchant Insurance Trust, Maine Merchant Shippers Co-op, was director of Maine Merchant Association and was chosen as Maine Merchant Retailer of the Year in 1982. He was a lifetime member of the Alfred W. Maxwell Jr. American Legion Post No. 40 and Winthrop Lions Club, serving as King Lion in 1984-1985, a member of the Winthrop Grange and Masonic Temple No. 25, Winthrop and was past treasurer of Winthrop United Methodist Church. Bill was predeceased by his wife of 36 years, Barbara; his parents; and three granddaughters, Abigail, Ellie and Faith Steele. He is survived by eight children, William G. Haefele of Carrabassett Valley and Trenton, Carol H. Malmsten and Larry of Winthrop, John Haefele and Julie of Winthrop, Jeff Gordon and Kathy of Galway, N.Y., Tina Burnham and Mike of Winthrop, George Jeffery Shaw and Ruth of Saco, Thomas Haefele and Marguerite of South Monmouth and Sandy Steele and Jim of Winthrop; one brother, Robert T. Haefele and Joanne of Voorhees, N.J.; 19 grandchildren, Keven Haefele, Kellie Haefele, Andrea Malmsten Lindmark and her husband, Brian, Kale Malmsten, Joshua Haefele and his wife, Allison, Chad Haefele and his fiance, Kate Imbruno, Kayla Haefele, Justin, Robert and Tim Gordon, Melissa Burnham and her fiance, Steve Barter, Joey Burnham, Chip Burnham, Andrew, Connor and Olivia Shaw, and Zachary, Spencer and Ian Steele; his great-grandchildren, Tyler, Brendan and Zachary Lindmark; and his loyal canine companions, Gideon and Sheeby, whom he loved dearly and who were always at his side. Relatives and friends may visit 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Winthrop. A reception will be after at the Alfred W. Maxwell Jr. American Legion Post No. 40, Winthrop. Interment with full military honors will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Glenside Cemetery, Winthrop. Memorial donations may be made in Bill’s memory to George F. Wilson Scholarship Fund, care of Key Bank, P.O. Box 301, Winthrop, ME 04364 or the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, care of MaineGeneral Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903. www.khrfuneralhomes.com