BANGOR – Wally Sawyer passed peacefully in the early morning of Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011, with his wife of 68 years, Winona, nearby. He had celebrated his 90th birthday in February 2011. Wally was born in 1921, in Hartford, the only son of Marjorie (Bartlett) Sawyer and Stanley Enos Sawyer.
He lived in Howland and Milo before moving to Bangor in 1935. He graduated from Bangor High School in 1939, attended Hebron Academy and Maine Maritime Academy, where he was an outstanding athlete. He was employed by the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office, Washington, D.C., as a nautical scientist and later joined the Navy as a physical training instructor, and was honorably discharged in 1946. Wally married Winona Adelade Cole in 1943 and was an active member of First United Methodist Church for 70 years. In 1946 Wally joined A.J. Cole & Sons as sales manager for trucking equipment, Armstrong Tires and solid waste collection services. He would purchase the waste business from the parent company in 1962, as well as creating the Tom Sawyer Drive-In Restaurant, only the second in the Bangor area. In 1982 Sawyer sold the family business to his son, Tom, and spent winters in Ormond Beach, Fla., with summers enjoying their cottage at Green Lake when not at home on French Street, Bangor. Sawyer was an active member of Bangor Lions Club for more than 50 years, past president of Bangor Chamber of Commerce, coached boys basketball and baseball teams, and served as state chair for the March of Dimes. He was a member of Rising Virtue Lodge No. 10 AF & AM, Mount Moriah Chapter No. 6, Anah Shriners Mounted Patrol, Royal Order of Jesters, St. John’s Commandery No. 3 and First Radio Parish of America. Being restless Sawyer delivered Meals on Wheels, constructed a cul-de-sac with five new homes and named the project in memory of his mother, Marjorie, while wintering in Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Winona; only son, W. Tom Sawyer Jr. and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Sawyer; two much-appreciated granddaughters, Shannon Sawyer and Patricia (Sawyer) Bauer; and two great-grandsons, Rourk and Jonas Bauer.
Friends and family are invited to gather for memories and munchies 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. Burial will be in the family cemetery plot in Enfield. Those who wish to remember Wally may contribute in his memory to First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.