Obituary of Wilbur E. Baird

Wilbur Edgar Baird Jr., 66, passed away on November 27, 2023, related to vascular dementia which took away many years his loved ones weren’t ready to give up.

 

He was born on December 1, 1956, in East Hartford, Connecticut. 

 

Will moved to Bangor Maine in the 1970s when his parents bought the Broadway Dairy Queen. Graduated from Bangor high school in 1975.

He worked at Dairy Queen alongside his parents until the 1980s when he bought Dairy Queen from them.

He met his future wife Debbie Baird in high school while working at the DQ. They were married for 31 years and together raised their three children Wilbur E.  Baird III, Kasey L. Baird, and Krystal L. Baird. They later continued their lives as good friends.

 

Will had several hobbies and passions including cars, the faster the better! His favorite car was his 1975 orange Corvette. He spent a lot of time with his family going to Speedway 95 where he sponsored a race car for years.

 

Wilbur looked forward to his bowling league with a group of his best friends Dana Leeman, Hallie and Karen Leeman, Bruce and Jan Macdonald, Sonny LeClair, Andy Constantine, Jeff Kinney, and Jim McIinnis.

 

He was a long time Elk member, serving time as a trustee.  Will participated in many softball leagues and loved a good game of golf.  He also enjoyed watching football, baseball and Nascar.

 

Wilbur loved surprising his children with fun trips over Christmas break. Aruba being one they traveled to multiple times.

 

His fatherly love extended beyond the family walls when he provided a place within his home and his heart for his bonus daughter Ashley K. Barron.

 

Predeceased by his son: Wilbur Baird III, his younger brother Wayne Baird, and his niece Tarsha Rideout.

 

Survived by his parents Will and Evelyn Baird of Belfast; his sisters Christine Baird and Sandy Rideout; his prior wife Debbie Baird; his daughters Kasey Schmersal and husband Justin, Krystal Wyman and husband Dave; his grandchildren Kaiden and Brookelyn Schmersal, and Serenity, Arianna, and Raelynn Wyman along with an extended family full of many nephews and a niece.

 

Celebration of Life will be held on February 2, 2024, from 5 to 9 pm, at the Bangor Elks Club at 108 Odlin Road.

 

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com