GRAY and ABBOT – William Tolman Fossett, 93, born June 18, 1918, in Portland, passed away May 6, 2012, surrounded by his family at Coastal Manor Nursing Home, Yarmouth.
Bill served in World War II as staff sergeant in the Army and was captured in France in July 1942 by the Germans, and was held as a prisoner of war for 18 months. After returning from war he worked for Sealtest for 30 years. Bill was the first commander of American Legion Post No. 197, Westbrook, and commander of Conner Trafton American Legion Post No. 119, Guilford. He was also an active member of American Ex-Prisoners of War, Augusta.
Bill was the son of the late Henry Algernon Fossett and Alice (Plummer) Fossett; and had five brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Alice D. Fossett; sons, Ronald and Walter Fossett; a daughter, Bonnie (Fossett) Jones; and stepchildren, Jane Stevens and Wayne Cleaves. Bill was a grandfather to 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and had 21 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13, at the American Legion Hall, Gray, and a graveside memorial service with military honors will be held 1 p.m. Monday, May 14, at Lawn Cemetery, Guilford, with Pastor Stephen Dean officiating. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Guilford. For an online guest register, go to
www.CrosbyNeal.com.