SHERMAN – Dr. William L. Daniels, 94, beloved doctor to many citizens in Sherman and surrounding towns, died peacefully Nov. 14, 2009, at Madigan Nursing Home, Houlton. He was born June 2, 1915, in Morehead City, N.C., the son of Kate Moore and Lennon Gregory Daniels. Dr. Daniels graduated from Elizabeth City High School in 1931. He received his pre-medical education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill transferring to Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy in 1938, to receive his doctor of osteopathy degree. While interning at the Osteopathic Hospital of Maine in 1938, he met the love of his life, Frederica Wilson. They married Sept. 3, 1938, and had two sons, William Jr. and John. After the completion of his internship, they moved to Calais, where he opened his first practice. In February 1943, Dr. Daniels joined the U.S. Army. He was a medic in the 5th Armored Division, from which he was honorably discharged with five battle stars in 1946. After his discharge from the Army, he opened a practice in Millinocket. In 1948, he made the decision to move to Sherman and practiced there until he joined Dr. Ronald Blum in opening Milliken Medical Center, Island Falls, in January 1978. A highlight of Dr. Daniels’ career in obstetrics came March 25, 1952, when he delivered living triplets at Elsie’s Nursing Home, Sherman. Dr. Daniels completed a post-graduate course in hematology and rheumatology at Philadelphia College of Osteopathy in 1956. He also served on the staff of Osteopathic Hospital, Lincoln; Milliken Medical Center, Island Falls; and Millinocket Regional Hospital. Because of his position as mill physician for Great Northern Paper Co., he was recognized as one of the first osteopaths to be admitted to Industrial Medicine Association. In 1957, he was president of Maine Osteopathic Association. This resulted in his being recognized by Maine Osteopathic Association as General Practitioner of the Year. Believing that every child deserved a good education, he served for more than 30 years on Sherman School Committee, part of it as chairman and was instrumental in building Sherman Elementary School. He was also chairman of Sherman Gymnasium Committee. As a member of Washburn Memorial Church, he was a deacon and served on the finance committee. He was part of the entertainment committee for Sherman Old Home Days. At age 60, Dr. Daniels joined with four other men in cross-country skiing from the north gate of Baxter State Park to the south gate. They were the first group to complete this expedition. He cross-country skied up to age 86 and downhill skied to age 82. His passion for skiing led him to build May Mountain Ski Area along with Jacob Shur and Dr. Hiram Stevens in 1963. He was a member of National Ski Patrol as well as being an instructor for the organization. He was an avid fisherman and duck hunter, which led to his publishing several articles for Field and Stream, serving as a charter member in good standing on Sports Afield’s Advisory Panel and Maine Sportsman. After his retirement in 1980, he journeyed to Alaska with two friends from Patten for a six-week adventure that had been a lifelong dream of his. Returning from Alaska, he found the need to keep busy. At first he built furniture, but developed a passion for bird carving, winning many awards for his work. Later he taught classes in bird carving which produced award-winning carvers. He was a 50-year member of Molunkus Valley Masonic Lodge, Commandery, York Rite and Anah Shriners. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Frederica; two sons, William Jr. and his wife, Diana, of Island Falls, and John and his wife, Phyllis, of Bucksport; grandchildren, Katherine Moore Daniels and her husband, Justin Kinney, of San Diego, Jennifer Lennon Daniels of Franklin, Mass., Robin Coombs and her husband, Danny, of Bucksport, Angel Alley of Vassalboro, and Jason Alley and his wife, Justine, of Bucksport; great-grandchildren, Jared Daniels, Jeremy and Chad Coombs, Leif and Aesa Alley; four great-great-grandchildren; a niece, Martha Fussell and her husband, Robin, of Texas; cousin, Gene Jones and her husband, Everett, of Virginia; and sister-in-law, Patricia Wilson of Millinocket. He was predeceased by his parents; and one sister, Dorothy Pryor. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Washburn Memorial Church, Sherman, with Masonic funeral services being conducted 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Ron Beinema officiating. Interment with full military honors will be held at Sherman Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to Visiting Nurses of Aroostook, Washburn Memorial Church or Sherman Library, care of Bowers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 579, Houlton, ME 04730.
DR. WILLIAM L. DANIELS
