Obituary of Willard Samuel Thurston

Willard Samuel Thurston Jr., 83, died Jan. 28, 2015, at Pen Bay Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born March 19, 1931, the son of Willard Samuel Thurston Sr. and Bertha E. Langley in Elliot. In the early 1930s, he moved with his family to Bath, where they lived on a houseboat. Willie grew up in Bath and attended Bath schools until he decided to go to work. At an early age, Willie worked at various jobs, including the Bath Cemetery Department and Stinson's Canning Co. Later, he worked for Bath Public Works, McCluskey's Furniture, and finally Bath Iron Works for 28 years. While living in Bath, he also served in the Army National Guard for a few years in the 1940s. After he retired form BIW, Willie worked for the Warren Laundromat Co. until it closed. Willie enjoyed his brothers in the Warren Lodge of Odd Fellows for 30 years, especially bingo games. Willie was a huge New England sports (only) fan, and a diehard Red Sox supporter. He enjoyed his family times, especially rides in his sons '68 Thunderbird. Willie will be remembered for kindness and always shooting the bull with the best of them. Willie really looked forward to Saturday night Yahtzee games with his buddies Gerald Allen, Debby Feltis and Dot Craney. He was predeceased by a brother, Bob Thurston; a stepson, Timothy Clark; his first wife, Beverly Tanguay; and his second wife, Mary Clark. He is survived by a sister, Nancy Williams, and her husband, Carl; a nephew, Timothy Williams of Robinhood, a village of Georgetown; a son, Terrence Thurston Sr., of Warren; a stepson, Robert Clark of Lisbon Falls; stepdaughters Cindy Lincoln of Sanford, Jane Brown of Warren, Sharman "Tootie" Clark; a lady friend, Dot Craney; the family pet, Tricksee, the cat; two grandsons, Dustin Thurston of Augusta, Terrence S. Thurston Jr. of Union; several step-nieces and -nephews. The family wishes to thank Billy Roscoe for all his help and support. May God bless my father, as I know he will. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Warren Lodge of Odd Fellows, P.O. Box 101, Warren, ME 04864.