Willard "Bill" J. Shirley Jr.

LEWISTON – Willard J. Shirley, Jr., fondly known as Bill, 72, husband of Geraldine (Leclair) Shirley, of Waterville, died November 30, 2015 after a long, courageous fight against heart disease. He was born April 12, 1943 in Waterville, the son of Willard J. Sr. and Antoinette (Webb) Shirley.

Bill met and married the love of his life, Geraldine (Leclair) Shirley on August 1, 1964; celebrating 51 years of marriage this year.

He is most well-known for his career as a police officer with the Waterville Police Department, where he was employed from 1964 to 1992. During his career as a police officer he also became a firearms training officer and qualified other patrol officers for firearms; all of this leading to Bill obtaining the esteemed title of Firearms Marksman. He competed in Police Pistol Combat Shooting at a Master Class level and was often referred to as “Yellow Sight”. He was very well-known throughout the community for his knowledge of weapons and his skill as a marksman.

After retiring from the police department, Bill embarked on an adventure with two of his daughters; becoming a restaurant owner. He and his family have successfully run the Sunset Grill in Belgrade Lakes since May 1992. Bill was the “resident bartender” for all of the customers; many of who quickly became like family to him.

Bill was a long-time member of both the Elks Club and the American Legion.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; who never ceased to give of himself. He taught his children and grandchildren many things, including his love of camping, hunting, racing and other sports; in addition to many of life’s lessons. Some of his happiest moments were those spent with family; almost always with a grandchild or two sitting on his lap.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Geraldine Shirley of Waterville, are four daughters, Tammy Fulling and her husband Nate of Belgrade Lakes, Rhonda Spencer and her fiancé Jeff Pinkham of Vassalboro, Dawn Lambert and her husband Randy of Fairfield Center, and Kelly Pease of Belgrade; twelve grandchildren Daniel, Matthew and Elizabeth Fulling of Belgrade Lakes, Amanda Gramling and her husband Michael of Canton, GA, Jessica Spencer of Vassalboro, Joshua Spencer of Cattleton, NY, Zachary Pinkham of Concord, NH, Nathan, Emily, Lauren, and Brooklyn Lambert of Fairfield Center, Kayla Levenseller and her husband Nick of Sidney, and Allison Pease of Belgrade; three great-grandchildren Alivia and Carter Gramling of Canton, GA and Piper Levenseller of Sidney; and several extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be held at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street in Waterville on Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Waterville, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Down’s Syndrome Association of Atlanta at DSAA, 2221 Peachtree Road NE, Suite D-226, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux Funeral Home, www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com