William “Bill" Dennett Tiedemann passed away at the age of 88 on July 12, 2021. He was born in Newton, MA on April 4, 1933 to Charles Henry Tiedemann and Frances Gorham Dennett. Bill attended Wooster School in Danbury, CT and was inducted in the Sports Hall of Fame. He graduated from University of Maine Orono where he studied Agricultural Economics and Farm Management. After serving two years in the United States Army in Germany, he started a family and became a dairy farmer. He eventually established Sunup Farm in Limington, ME.
In the mid 1960s, Bill was a leader in his field building one of the first dairy farms in Maine with a herringbone milking parlor. He was proud to be able to supply his milk to Locust Farm Dairy. Bill served on the Maine Milk Commission. Additionally, Bill owned and operated the Agway store in Steep Falls, ME and provided his expertise to the local orchardists.
Bill was a long time Kiwanian and a past president. He had many other interests such as bee keeping and was a part of the Maine Beekeepers Association. He also enjoyed slate cutting, metal detecting, stained glass crafting, and was a member of the Back Forty Model A Club. One of Bill’s prized possessions was his first car he bought for $60 while he was a student at UMO. Shortly after, he drag raced a Plymouth near campus and got his 1930 Ford Model A “Gertie” up to 70mph. He was reported to the Dean of Men and as he put it, “got a tongue lashing”. Over the years he entered “Gertie” into many car shows and Limington’s annual Fourth of July parade.
Bill’s sense of humor was like none other. While there are many stories that family and friends could tell, there is one that is a favorite. One time, Bill put a mast and sail in his front yard and put “yard sail” signs up and down the road. He waited in the yard for people to come. When people showed up looking for a yard sale, he would point to the sail in his yard and say, “there it is”! If people got mad, he would ask if they read the signs: “yard SAIL”.
Bill was an avid traveler with his loving wife, Lorraine. They shared adventures in many parts of the world, but he always favored spending time with family and friends. His favorite gathering was an annual family reunion on the Saco River.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lorraine Tiedemann of Steep Falls, ME; his sister, Betsy Ehrenfreund of Cambridge, NY; former wife, Janet Bradford of Buxton, ME; his daughter, Kaye Tiedemann and husband, Steve of Redding, CT; daughter, Karen Huddle and husband, Frank of Bedford, VA; daughter, Laura Barbato and husband, Phil of Clermont, FL; daughter, Gail Wormwood and husband, Kevin of Limington, ME; step-son, Rick Johnson and wife, Tracey of Mooresville, NC; step-son, Mark Johnson and wife, Barbara of Waterboro, ME; step-son, Brian Johnson and wife, Lori of Norton, MA; 11 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.
Bill is predeceased by his parents; his brother, Charles “Chuck” D. Tiedemann; and his sister, Eleanor Betts.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 3pm at Bill’s church, Cressey Road UMC in Gorham, ME. There will be a private graveside burial for family will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery in Falmouth.
In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in Bill's name to a charity of your choice.
