PRESQUE ISLE – William “Bill” Karnes, 74, passed away unexpectedly Jan. 18, 2010, in Presque Isle. He was born April 29, 1935, in Waterville, the son of Stanley and Lena (Stansfield) Karnes. He was educated in the Waterville school system and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He then graduated from Berkshire Christian College and began his career as a pastor and schoolteacher. Bill taught for 36 years, encompassing second-12th grades in the Rockland, Hodgdon, Ashland and SAD No. 1 school systems, where he impacted the lives of many students. He loved young people, pouring his time and energy into them. He was formerly the pastor of Port Clyde Advent Christian and East Mapleton Advent Christian Churches and served as itinerant pastor of Hodgdon and Linneus Methodist Churches. A former president of Northern Maine Advent Christian Conference, he and his family provided live music for the Dan Pike radio ministry for many years. He shared the pastorate of Oxbow and Masardis Ministries for the past 31 years, where he still served in spite of declining health, because of his great love for the Lord and for the people there. He was a former member of Trinity Masonic Lodge No. 130 AF & AM, International Association of Basketball Officials No. 150, Northern Maine Approved Baseball Umpires Association, ASA Softball, and National Education Association, Maine Retirement Association. Bill was unique in his love for everyone he met and his gift of encouragement. He loved to laugh and entertain with his many colorful stories. He followed sports passionately and enjoyed all music, playing his trumpet and singing. Above all, Bill loved God and he shared God’s love with those around him. Bill will be greatly missed by his family and all that knew him. He leaves his wife, Diane, to whom he was married for 50 years; his daughter, Jennifer and her husband, David Whitaker, of Presque Isle; his daughter, Julie and her husband, Colby Morse, of Gorham; a brother, Thomas Karnes; and two nephews, Eoin and Brendan Karnes of Williston, Vt.; a half sister, Sharon and her husband, Bob Southard, of Windham; two special aunts, Eleanor Estabrook of Houlton and Geraldine Borodko of Somersworth, N.H.; his three grandsons who were his pride and joy, Gregory David, Joel Thomas and Aaron John Whitaker of Presque Isle. Calling hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at State Road Advent Christian Church, Route 227, Mapleton, where a funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, with the Rev. David Ross and the Rev. Greg Moody officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to WFST Christian Radio, P.O. Box 600, Caribou, ME 04736; The State Road Advent Christian Church, P.0. Box 550, Presque Isle, ME 04769; or Oxbow Congregational Church, Oxbow, ME 04764. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ KARNES
