Obituary of William Forrest Staples

William F. Staples

Bill passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025. He was born on February 27, 1946 in Belfast, Maine, the son of Elmer and Geneva Staples of Searsport. Bill attended Searsport schools and graduated in 1964. He loved upholding the tradition of the mighty Vikings and playing both baseball and basketball for four years culminating in the basketball Eastern Maine championship in 1964. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and served for four years. He attended the University of Maine in Orono, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

Bill and his wife, Susan, had one son, Daniel, and resided primarily in Wilbraham, Mass before he returned to Maine. Bill was happiest on the waterfront with old salts, saltwater fishing with Dan or at the batting cages with him.

He worked for RWC and traveled throughout the country working with the railroads. As a boy, he enjoyed his collection of model trains which provided hours of fun with friends and family. This might have contributed to his interest in railroads.

He loved Maine, and at one time, worked at the Dark Harbor Boatyard. He loved the challange of maneuvering his boat through rough water whether on Penobscot Bay or Chesapeake Bay. He was at home with his log splitter and conquering a cord or two of wood. His love of old cars was exemplified by his ’40 “Merc” and the long restoration project with Terry Averill.

Bill is survived by Susan, Dan, and his wife, Wendy, his sister, Becky, and husband, Roger and nephews, Josh and Colin and wife, Liz, and grandnephew, Jordan. He also leaves many cousins from the Staples and Curtis clans as well as lifelong friends. He was predeceased by his parents.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held this summer on a date to be determined.

Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice or your local animal shelter.