BANGOR – Bill Van Peursem Sr., 64, died peacefully Nov. 13, 2010, at home after a courageous battle with lung disease. He was born May 3, 1946, son of Lawrence Sr. and Patricia (Connelly) Van Peursem. Bill graduated from Brewer High School, Class of 1965. One of Bill’s interests was aviation, which led to a job at Northeast Airlines and later with Delta Airlines as a senior customer service agent. His greatest gift was what he gave to others. He had a tremendous heart, and a witty and contagious personality. He always had a joke or a story to tell and often said, “If I can help someone laugh or smile, I’ve done well.” Bill had a great love for life, family and friends. His foremost passion was his love for his two sons. He was so very proud of them. Bill was an inspiration to others, with his perseverance and courage to overcome adversities in life, and will always be remembered and respected for that and the help he gave others. Bill was predeceased by his loving mother, Patricia. He is survived by his father, Lawrence Sr. of Maine and Arizona; his sons, William Jr. and fiancee, Michelle Hogan, of Carmel, and Stephen and wife, Renae, and their daughter, Cierra, of Colorado; two brothers, Lawrence Jr. of Bangor, and Robert and wife, Mary, of Phoenix; sister, Peggy of Brewer with whom he shared a special bond and often called each other “The Bookends” – the oldest and the youngest; his sweetie of 14 years, Linda Brooks, who was his angel; special aunt, Maxine Barry of Brewer; four nephews, Nick, Nathan and Nels of Arizona, and Lawrence III of Bangor; many close friends including surrogate brother, Butch Randall, Dick Glaster, George MacDonald and so many more. The family thanks all the health professionals at St. Joseph Hospital and Bangor Fire Department for their outstanding service. Bill dearly appreciated all of you. A service of remembrance will be held 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at Pine Grove Remembrance Center, 1347 Hammond St., Bangor. In lieu of flowers, Bill would want you to take time to laugh and smile, and tell the ones you love that you love them.
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ GEORGE VAN PEURSEM SR.
