Mr. William 'Bill' W. Draper

Gray--William "Bill" Draper, 64, a retired Maine State Trooper, died on Saturday morning October 23, 2010 at Maine Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born in Bangor on March 23, 1946, the son of Ashley and Neota (Wise) Draper. Bill was one of four brothers and one sister who graduated from Piscataquis Regional High School class of 1965. He enlisted in the United States Army serving with the 814th Engineering Company in Vietnam until he was honorably discharged in 1968. Bill then graduated from the Maine State Police Academy in Waterville in 1974, and worked as a Maine State Trooper for 20 years.

He patrolled the State of Maine for 12 years, worked for 4 years in the Maine Drug Unit, and 4 years as a Homicide Detective. On May 12, 1990, Bill married the love of his life, Laurie (Allen) Draper. After his retirement from the Maine State Police he drove a tractor trailer hauling logs for Thorndike and Sons, Inc, in Avon, Me from 1994-2003. Bill and his wife moved to Gray in 2004 where he drove a tanker truck hauling gasoline to service stations for Irving Oil Company. In 2008, he drove for K C Trucking, Inc hauling double trailers for FedEX Ground from their local terminal in Saco to the hub in Connecticut.

Bill's favorite pastime was eating breakfast, reading magazines, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

He was a member of the Maine State Troopers Association, Retired Truckers Association, and the American Legion Post in Gray.

Bill is predeceased by his parents and his sister Ashlee Martel. Besides his wife of 20 years, he leaves a son Christopher and his wife Mary Ladd of Boulder, CO, 2 daughters; Jodie Ladd of Quincy, MA, Kristin Draper of Bath, 3 brothers; Michael and his wife Roberta Draper, Steven and his wife Rae Draper, Paul and his wife Elaine Draper all of Guilford, 2 grandchildren, Charley Belle Ladd and Nathanial Benoit.

A time visitation will be held Tuesday October 26, 2010 from 10am to 11:30am at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St, Portland to be followed by a Graveside Service with Military honors at 12 noon at Evergreen Cemetery, Stevens Ave with Rev. Donald Drake officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Maine State Troopers Association Scholarship Fund, 28 Meadow Rd, Augusta, Me. 04330.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information, and to leave a tribute in memory of Bill Draper.

Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Services

199 Woodford St.

Portland, ME 04103

207-775-3763

www.jonesrichandhutchins.com