BLUE HILL – Willard “Bill” Chapman Torrey passed away Aug. 2, 2009, at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was born Nov. 1, 1914, in Sedgwick, to Harvey E. and Annie B. Torrey. He lived most of his life in Blue Hill and retired as a caretaker for the Larchwood Estate. Along with landscaping artistry, he was fondly known as “Captain Bill” when he drove the Timberdoodle, a private yacht owned by his employer, Jean H. Gallien. When not working hard to support his family, he found many ways to keep busy. Bill was a boat builder, fisherman, hunter, traveler, bird and wildlife expert and a carver of birds. He was married to DeLila Bohannon, whom he met while he was working at North Carolina Shipbuilding Co., during the war. She passed away in 1979. He went on to marry Elinor Herrick, who was the love of his life. They built a log cabin in Blue Hill and spent many hours landscaping and enjoying the first and only home that he ever owned. Elinor passed away in 1989. Surviving family members include his loving and dedicated daughter, Susan Gundersen and her husband, John and their children, Molly Seekings, Charles Blake and Timothy Gundersen; great-granddaughters, Hannah Maddocks and Mary Seekings; grandchildren, Carl, William and his wife, Julie, and Heather Zerrien and her husband, Richard; great-grandchildren, Alison, Jordon, Jason, Eric, Tevin, Ben and Areeonna Falvey, and Richard Zerrien III. His surviving siblings are Thornton Torrey and Edna Eaton of Vermont, Alice Donavan of New Hampshire and Fausta Emerson of Blue Hill. Bill’s stepchildren are Cheryl Colabella of North Carolina and John Quinn of Maine; along with many, many special nieces and nephews. Especially close to his heart are, Janice Stetson of Winslow; and his new found friend in Deer Isle, Isaac Robichaud. He was predeceased by his daughter, Margaret “Flo” Falvey in 2008; granddaughter, Melissa Falvey, in 1992; and stepdaughter, Geri Haasey, in 2002. At Bill’s request there will be no service, but a celebration of life 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Central Hall, South Blue Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in his memory be made to Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 79, Blue Hill, ME 04614, of which he was a lifetime member, First Congregational Church of Blue Hill, P.O. Box 444, Blue Hill, ME 04614 or Hancock County Homecare and Hospice, P.O. Box 156, Blue Hill, ME 04614. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 141 South St., Blue Hill. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
WILLARD ‘BILL’ CHAPMAN TORREY
